At least 28 people killed as fire engulfs shoe factory in China
✓Beijing demands ‘all-out’ effort to extinguish the blaze, search for survivors and treat the injured.
At least 28 people have been killed in a fire at a shoe factory in southeastern China, and many are still thought to be trapped inside, according to state media.
The fire broke out about noon (04:00 GMT) on Thursday in the city of Jinjiang in Fujian province. Local media named the site as the Huiteng Shoes factory in the village of Jiangtou.
Firefighters are trying to reach those trapped inside while President Xi Jinping has warned of “significant casualties”.
“The cause of the accident should be identified as soon as possible and … those responsible must be strictly held accountable,” Xi said.
The state news agency Xinhua reported a preliminary death toll of 28.
Footage shared online showed a multistorey building engulfed in thick black smoke. A number of people trapped by the blaze can be seen on the rooftop.
More than 180 firefighters and rescue workers have been dispatched to the scene along with 35 emergency vehicles. According to local media, most of the open flames had been extinguished by early evening.
The Ministry of Emergency Management demanded an “all-out” effort to extinguish the fire, search for survivors and treat the injured.
According to Xinhua, emergency workers have lost communication with some of those trapped inside.
Many of the materials used to manufacture shoes are highly flammable. According to one official, the factory contained such products, which likely caused the fire to spread rapidly. Preliminary assessments indicated the fire began on the ground floor.
Industrial accidents are common in China due to lax safety standards and poor enforcement, which some attribute to corruption among those responsible for ensuring compliance.
Beijing launched a nationwide campaign to eliminate fire hazards in high-rise buildings in November after a major blaze tore through a residential complex in Hong Kong, killing 168 people. It was one of the deadliest residential fires in the world.
During the first three quarters of 2024, China recorded more than 13,400 workplace safety accidents, resulting in 12,804 deaths.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗ · BBC ↗
A fire broke out around noon Thursday at the Huiteng Shoes factory in Jiangtou village, Jinjiang city, Fujian province. At least 28 people were killed and others remain trapped inside the multistorey building. Over 180 firefighters and rescue workers with 35 emergency vehicles responded. Most open flames were extinguished by early evening, though communication was lost with some people still inside. Preliminary investigation indicates the fire started on the ground floor where flammable shoe-manufacturing materials are stored, which likely accelerated its spread. President Xi Jinping stated those responsible must be held accountable. The Ministry of Emergency Management coordinated rescue and survivor search efforts. China recorded over 13,400 workplace safety accidents in the first three quarters of 2024, resulting in 12,804 deaths.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗ · BBC ↗
Beijing demands ‘all-out’ effort to extinguish the blaze, search for survivors and treat the injured.
At least 28 people have been killed in a fire at a shoe factory in southeastern China, and many are still thought to be trapped inside, according to state media.
The fire broke out about noon (04:00 GMT) on Thursday in the city of Jinjiang in Fujian province. Local media named the site as the Huiteng Shoes factory in the village of Jiangtou.
Firefighters are trying to reach those trapped inside while President Xi Jinping has warned of “significant casualties”.
“The cause of the accident should be identified as soon as possible and … those responsible must be strictly held accountable,” Xi said.
The state news agency Xinhua reported a preliminary death toll of 28.
Footage shared online showed a multistorey building engulfed in thick black smoke. A number of people trapped by the blaze can be seen on the rooftop.
More than 180 firefighters and rescue workers have been dispatched to the scene along with 35 emergency vehicles. According to local media, most of the open flames had been extinguished by early evening.
The Ministry of Emergency Management demanded an “all-out” effort to extinguish the fire, search for survivors and treat the injured.
According to Xinhua, emergency workers have lost communication with some of those trapped inside.
Many of the materials used to manufacture shoes are highly flammable. According to one official, the factory contained such products, which likely caused the fire to spread rapidly. Preliminary assessments indicated the fire began on the ground floor.
Industrial accidents are common in China due to lax safety standards and poor enforcement, which some attribute to corruption among those responsible for ensuring compliance.
Beijing launched a nationwide campaign to eliminate fire hazards in high-rise buildings in November after a major blaze tore through a residential complex in Hong Kong, killing 168 people. It was one of the deadliest residential fires in the world.
During the first three quarters of 2024, China recorded more than 13,400 workplace safety accidents, resulting in 12,804 deaths.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗ · BBC ↗
A fire broke out around noon Thursday at the Huiteng Shoes factory in Jiangtou village, Jinjiang city, Fujian province At least 28 people were killed Many people remain trapped inside the building Over 180 firefighters and rescue workers with 35 emergency vehicles responded Most open flames were extinguished by early evening Communication was lost with some people trapped inside The fire started on the ground floor where flammable shoe-manufacturing materials are stored Flammable materials likely accelerated the fire's spread President Xi Jinping stated those responsible must be held accountable Industrial accidents are common in China due to lax safety standards and poor enforcement China recorded over 13,400 workplace safety accidents in the first three quarters of 2024, resulting in 12,804 deaths
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗ · BBC ↗
- A fire at a shoe factory in Jinjiang, Fujian province killed at least 28 people on Thursday; many remain trapped inside
- More than 180 firefighters and rescue workers were dispatched; most open flames extinguished by evening but communication lost with some trapped inside
- Preliminary investigation suggests fire started on ground floor where flammable shoe-manufacturing materials accelerated spread
- President Xi Jinping called for accountability; Beijing demanded all-out rescue and survivor search efforts
- China has recorded over 13,400 workplace safety accidents in the first three quarters of 2024, killing 12,804 people