Overview
- A fire broke out around midday on Thursday at the Fujian Huiteng Shoes plant in Jinjiang where 237 workers and two transporters were on site.
- Rescue teams evacuated 213 people and confirmed 28 deaths, including 26 who were found among the previously missing and two who died after hospital transfer.
- Emergency response grew from an initial 183 personnel and 35 vehicles to more than 500 people as firefighters battled heavy flames and smoke for hours.
- State TV and firefighters said the blaze began in a first-floor workshop and spread quickly because large amounts of soles, adhesives and other combustible materials blocked stairwells and exits.
- Authorities have detained company executives, frozen the firm’s accounts, and launched an investigation as central leaders ordered full search, rescue and accountability measures; Jinjiang’s role as a major footwear hub raises wider safety concerns after recent deadly industrial fires in China.