JINJIANG, China — Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered a full investigation into a fire that killed 28 people at a shoe factory in the southeastern manufacturing hub of Jinjiang, directing authorities to determine the cause of the blaze and hold those responsible to account after one of the country's deadliest industrial accidents in recent years.
The fire broke out around midday on Thursday at the Huiteng shoe factory in Jinjiang, Fujian province, where hundreds of people were working, according to state media and local authorities. Rescue teams evacuated 213 people from the five-story building, while 28 people died despite emergency efforts. More than 500 rescue personnel took part in the operation, officials said.
State broadcaster CCTV reported that the blaze originated on the ground floor, where workshops and storage areas contained shoe-making materials and adhesives. Firefighters said blocked stairwells and combustible materials complicated rescue operations and allowed the fire to spread rapidly through the building. The fire was brought under control after several hours.
In instructions issued after the incident, Xi called for every effort to rescue victims, treat the injured, support affected families and quickly establish the cause of the fire. He urged authorities across China to strengthen workplace safety inspections and eliminate potential hazards to prevent similar disasters.
Premier Li Qiang also instructed officials to organize rescue operations, prevent secondary accidents and conduct a thorough investigation while enforcing legal accountability where appropriate, according to state media. The Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched a working group to Fujian to oversee rescue and investigative efforts.
Authorities said the factory owner and several managers had been detained while investigators examined the cause of the blaze. Company bank accounts were frozen as part of the investigation, according to official reports.
Jinjiang is one of China's largest footwear manufacturing centers, producing shoes for domestic and international markets. The accident has renewed scrutiny of industrial safety in a sector that handles large quantities of flammable materials.
The fire follows several major workplace accidents in China this year, prompting renewed calls from central authorities for stricter enforcement of safety regulations. Official data cited by state media show workplace accidents remain a significant challenge despite government efforts to improve industrial safety standards. Investigators have not yet announced the official cause of the fire, and the inquiry remains ongoing.
