At least 28 people have died following a major fire that engulfed a shoe factory in the city of Jinjiang, Fujian Province, in eastern China.
The blaze broke out around noon on Thursday at the Huiteng Shoes factory. Authorities reported that for several hours there were concerns that people remained trapped inside the building.
Footage broadcast by Chinese state television CCTV showed firefighters battling the flames as thick black smoke billowed from the multi-story building. The video also showed people seeking refuge near windows and on the roof while the fire spread through the lower floors.
China’s Ministry of Emergency Management said that 183 firefighters and rescue personnel, supported by 35 fire engines, were deployed to extinguish the blaze, search for survivors, and assist the injured.
Chinese President Xi Jinping described the incident as a tragedy involving “heavy loss of life” and called for a swift investigation into the cause of the fire.
“The cause of the accident must be identified as soon as possible, and those responsible must be held fully accountable in accordance with the law,” Xi said.
According to Chinese state media, several people were initially reported trapped and unable to contact rescue teams. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
The incident comes as China has stepped up fire safety inspections following several deadly fires in residential buildings and other facilities across the country in recent months.
