28 killed in factory blaze in the heart of Chinese shoe manufacturing hub
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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Outcome reported
- A massive fire erupted at the Huiteng Shoes factory in Jinjiang, Fujian province, China, killing 28 people.
- Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered an immediate rescue effort and a thorough investigation into the cause of the blaze.
- Firefighters battled the flames, which sent thick black smoke billowing from the building, with some individuals trapped on the rooftop seeking help.
A devastating fire tore through a shoe factory in China's eastern Fujian province on Thursday, claiming the lives of 28 people. The blaze occurred at the Huiteng Shoes factory in Jinjiang, a major hub for Chinese shoe manufacturing.
President Xi Jinping has directed authorities to make "all-out efforts" for rescue and treatment of victims, while also demanding a swift inquiry into the fire's origins and accountability for those responsible. The incident has cast a shadow over the region's industrial landscape.
all-out efforts
Emergency crews, comprising 183 firefighters and 35 fire trucks, were dispatched to the scene after the fire was reported around midday. Video footage showed intense flames and heavy smoke engulfing the building, with desperate signals for help seen from the rooftop. By late afternoon, authorities reported that the fire had been brought under control.
a swift inquiry into the cause of the fire and for those responsible to be held accountable
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by South China Morning Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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