Deadly Fire Engulfs Chinese Shoe Factory, Killing at Least 28

A devastating fire ripped through a shoe factory in Jinjiang, Fujian province, on Thursday, claiming at least 28 lives. The blaze engulfed the multi-storey Huiteng footwear manufacturing building around noon local time, trapping workers. State-run Xinhua news agency reported that 239 people were in the factory when the fire broke out; 213 were evacuated, though two of them later died in hospital. An additional 26 individuals initially reported missing were confirmed dead at the scene. Videos released by state media depicted intense flames and thick black smoke billowing from the building, with several people visible on the rooftop, seemingly trapped. Chinese President Xi Jinping issued urgent instructions for an all-out rescue operation, acknowledging the "significant casualties" and the pattern of deadly accidents at production facilities in recent months. He called for strict accountability for those responsible. Firefighting efforts were ongoing, with open flames largely extinguished by early evening, though thick smoke persisted. Preliminary findings suggest the fire originated on the ground floor, fueled by highly flammable shoe-making materials and adhesives that caused the blaze to spread rapidly. Firefighters noted that items piled in stairwells hampered rescue operations. Company officials and relevant personnel have been taken into custody, and the company's bank accounts have been frozen.

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The fire has caused significant casualties.