At least 28 killed in shoe factory fire in southeast China
A fire at the Huiteng Shoes factory in Jinjiang, Fujian province killed at least 28 people on Thursday. President Xi Jinping called for a swift investigation and accountability. More than 180 firefighters and 35 vehicles were dispatched.
At least 28 people have been killed in a fire at a shoe factory in southeastern China, according to state media. The fire broke out around noon (04:00 GMT) on Thursday, July 9, 2026, in the city of Jinjiang, Fujian province.
Local media named the site as the Huiteng Shoes factory in the village of Jiangtou. There were 237 factory workers and two visitors in the building when the fire broke out. Authorities pulled out 213 people, two of whom were pronounced dead after being taken to hospital. Another 26 missing people were later confirmed dead, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The Ministry of Emergency Management and the National Fire and Rescue Administration dispatched a joint working group to the scene. President Xi Jinping warned of "significant casualties" and demanded a swift investigation.
More than 180 firefighters and rescue workers were dispatched with 35 emergency vehicles. Preliminary assessments indicated the fire began on the ground floor. Many materials used to manufacture shoes are highly flammable, likely contributing to the rapid spread of the blaze.
This is one of the deadliest industrial fires in China in recent years.
翻译：119zj