A fire at the Huiteng Shoes factory in Jinjiang city, Fujian province, China, claimed at least 28 lives on Thursday, according to state media. The blaze erupted around noon and prompted a large firefighting and rescue operation. Despite efforts, concerns remained that some people might still be trapped inside the building, the report said.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene immediately after the fire broke out, working for hours to contain the blaze. The incident drew attention from Chinese President Xi Jinping, who acknowledged the heavy human losses caused by the fire. The factory fire is one of the deadliest industrial accidents in the region this year, AFP reported via livemint.com.
The tragedy highlights ongoing safety challenges in Chinese manufacturing hubs, where rapid industrial growth sometimes outpaces safety regulations. Comparable incidents in recent years have prompted calls for stricter oversight in factory operations. The Jinjiang city fire adds to a series of industrial accidents that have raised concerns about worker safety and emergency preparedness in China.
The firefighting and rescue efforts continued into the evening, with authorities working to confirm the exact number of casualties and locate any remaining victims. The official death toll of 28 was reported by state media as of Thursday evening, with further updates expected as investigations proceed.