Twenty-eight people have been killed in a fire that ripped through a shoe factory in Fujian province on Thursday.

Xinhua News Agency cited the fire and rescue department as saying that the blaze broke out at the Huiteng Shoes factory in the Jiangtou Village at 12.04 pm on Thursday.

Over 500 firefighters joined the rescue operation.

The report said 239 people were at the scene when the blaze broke out. A total of 213 people were evacuated, but two of them later died in hospital. Twenty-six people who were missing were later confirmed dead.

Police have detained the company's owner and several others suspected of bearing responsibility for the fire. Authorities have also frozen the company's accounts.

Footage shared by CCTV showed firefighters dousing the facade and interior of a large, multi-storey white building with fire hoses, as thick black smoke poured out.

Several people, apparently trapped by the blaze, could be seen on the rooftop as smoke swirled around them.

Preliminary findings indicated the fire started on the ground floor of the factory, a local official told CCTV.

President Xi Jinping said efforts must be made to identify the cause of the blaze and hold those responsible strictly accountable.

Noting that multiple major workplace safety accidents have occurred in the country since the beginning of this year, Xi required all regions and relevant departments to draw profound lessons from these accidents, better coordinate development and security, and remain constantly vigilant about workplace safety.

He added that efforts must be made to thoroughly identify and root out all types of safety risks and hidden hazards. Authorities have ordered an investigation into the tragedy. (Xinhua & agencies)
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Last updated: 2026-07-10 HKT 07:51



Edited by Cecil Wong