28 killed in fire at shoe factory in Jinjiang, Fujian Province
Every industrial tragedy is more than just a statistic — it is dozens of lives cut short, families left without breadwinners, and questions that demand answers. When fire consumes a workshop in minutes, both human vulnerability and the price of safety violations become painfully clear. This fire in Fujian reminds us once again: behind every workplace stands a human life, and it is the duty of both the state and employers to ensure those lives are protected.
On Thursday, a fire at a shoe factory in Jinjiang, Fujian Province, in eastern China, claimed 28 lives, local authorities said. The fire broke out at the factory of Huiteng Shoes Co., Ltd. in Jiangtou Village, Chengdai Township, at 12:04, according to the Quanzhou fire and rescue department, which administers Jinjiang. More than 500 firefighters and 35 units of equipment were involved in the rescue operation. At the time of the fire, 237 factory workers and two delivery staff were at the site. A total of 213 people were evacuated, but two of them later died after receiving medical treatment in hospital. The deaths of 26 others, who had been listed as missing, have been confirmed.
Police have detained the company's owner and several other individuals suspected of involvement in the fire. Authorities have also frozen the company's accounts. The Fujian provincial government has set up a leading group for handling the aftermath, comprising five subordinate working groups responsible for on‑site rescue, accident investigation and follow‑up response. Authorities have also ordered an inquiry to determine the nature of the accident and establish responsibility. It is understood that the factory building is a five‑storey reinforced concrete structure, with each floor covering 1,300 square metres. The fire started on the ground floor, where flammable materials for shoe production were stored, allowing the blaze to spread rapidly.
Jinjiang is a major hub for China's footwear industry, home to thousands of factories and tens of thousands of workers. Tragedies like this are, unfortunately, not uncommon in manufacturing sectors with a high concentration of combustible materials. Provincial authorities have already launched emergency inspections at other enterprises in the region and demanded stricter fire safety measures. As CCTV+ reports. The investigation is ongoing, and psychological and financial support is being provided to the families of the victims.
