Factory fire kills at least 28 in China’s ‘shoe capital’

At least 28 people died in a fire at a shoe factory in southeastern China’s Jinjiang city, according to the state news agency.

Dramatic footage published by Xinhua showed huge plumes of black smoke rising from a building, as well as people trapped on the roof.

President Xi Jinping said the fire caused “huge losses” and that those responsible should be “strictly held accountable.”

Jinjiang, in Fujian province, is often referred to as the “shoe capital” of China because it produces 20% of the world’s athletic shoes.

The fire broke out at the Huiteng Shoe factory at noon local time (05:00 BST) on Thursday.

Hundreds of rescue workers rushed to the scene and more than 200 people were evacuated, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

It is unclear how many people were injured.

Authorities sent more than 500 personnel to extinguish the fire and rescue people, state media reported.

State media also reported that about 240 people were in the factory when the fire broke out.

Two of the 213 people evacuated later died in hospital. Twenty-six others who were initially missing were found dead.

Initial reports suggest that the fire may have started on the ground floor of the factory where flammable materials were stored.

According to state media, authorities detained several people working for the factory owners and the firm’s bank accounts were frozen.

China launched a campaign to prevent fires in high-rise buildings after a fire broke out in several apartment buildings in Hong Kong in November, killing 168 people.

Xi said Chinese authorities should learn “deep lessons” from “several major industrial safety accidents” in the country this year.

He said “strict and effective security measures” must be implemented.