Overview
- A fire broke out at a shoe factory in Jinjiang, Fujian province on Thursday and state media said the blaze produced multiple deaths and injuries.
- Chinese state news agency Xinhua was cited by regional outlets reporting that 28 people died, though local authorities have not published an official casualty tally.
- Officials said more than 230 people were working at the factory when the fire started, and some workers who fled to the roof were later unable to escape.
- President Xi Jinping instructed relevant departments to carry out rescue efforts, probe the cause of the fire, and pursue those responsible.
- Jinjiang is a major footwear manufacturing hub and the central government response raises questions about workplace safety enforcement and forthcoming accountability from the official investigation.