A massive blaze erupted at the Huiteng Footwear factory in Jinjiang, Fujian, on Sunday afternoon, killing at least 28 workers and igniting nationwide concern over industrial safety.
The incident, captured in dramatic CCTV footage, showed thick plumes of black smoke and workers trapped on the roof, underscoring the severity of the emergency.
President Xi Jinping condemned the tragedy as a “major casualty” and called for those responsible to be held “strictly accountable,” underscoring the government’s commitment to enforcing safety regulations.
Jinjiang, often dubbed China’s shoe capital, is a hub for footwear production, manufacturing roughly 20% of the world’s sports shoes. The factory’s location in this industrial stronghold makes the tragedy all the more poignant.
Initial reports point to the blaze starting on the building’s ground floor where flammable materials had been stored. In response, authorities detained several employees linked to the factory’s ownership, and the company’s bank account has been frozen to aid the investigation.
China’s focus on preventing industrial fires has intensified since the 2020 Hong Kong apartment blaze that killed 168 people, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement of safety standards in high‑rise factories.
