(Photo from Xinhua via AP)
A severe fire broke out at a shoe factory in Fujian Province, China, killing 28 people as officials rushed to extinguish the blaze and rescue anyone potentially trapped inside the building.
On 9 Jul 2026, a major fire erupted at the Huiteng Shoes factory in Jiangtou Village, Jinjiang City, Fujian Province, in southeastern China, resulting in at least 28 deaths as numerous firefighting and rescue teams mobilized urgently to control the fire.
The fire began around midday Thursday (local time). Online images showed thick black smoke billowing from the building and people apparently trapped on the rooftop.
The Ministry of Emergency Management said in a statement that 183 firefighters and 35 fire engines had been dispatched to the scene to control the situation, and over 200 people were evacuated from the area. The number of injuries remains unclear.
Preliminary Chinese media reports indicate the fire likely started on the factory's ground floor, where flammable materials were stored. Xinhua News Agency reported that authorities have detained several individuals working for the factory owner, and the company’s bank accounts have been temporarily frozen.
President Xi Jinping described the fire as causing a "major loss" and stated that those responsible must be "strictly prosecuted."
Jinjiang City in Fujian Province is often called China’s "Shoe Capital" due to its reported production of 20% of the world’s sports shoes.
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Source:BBC