Massive Blaze in China’s Shoe Hub Claims 28 Lives

A fire erupted at Huiteng Footwear factory in the southeastern city of Jinjiang on Thursday, killing at least 28 people and forcing the evacuation of over 200 workers. Rescue teams rushed to the scene, and several factory employees were detained while authorities investigated the cause.

Initial reports indicate the blaze began on the ground floor where flammable materials were stored. Chinese President Xi Jinping condemned the tragedy and urged that those responsible be held strictly accountable.

Jinjiang, located in Fujian province, is known as China’s “shoe capital” and manufactures roughly 20% of the world’s sports shoes. The incident has raised pressing questions about fire safety standards in China’s fast‑growing industrial sector.

China has recently intensified campaigns to prevent fires in large buildings following a 2019 blaze that swept several Hong Kong high‑rises and killed 168 people.

The Huiteng Footwear factory’s bank account was frozen and authorities are probing potential safety violations. As of now, the exact number of injuries remains unclear.