Post by : Bianca
Haleem
A catastrophic fire erupted in a shoe factory located in Jinjiang, Fujian province, on Thursday, resulting in the loss of at least 28 lives, as reported by the state-owned Xinhua News Agency.
The blaze was first detected around noon at Huiteng, a footwear production facility, and swiftly spread through the multi-storey building, trapping numerous workers atop the roof amidst rising smoke.
Inside a Chaotic Scene
As detailed by Xinhua, approximately 239 individuals were present in the factory when the fire ignited.
Rescue efforts successfully evacuated 213 workers, yet two succumbed to injuries in the hospital. Tragically, the count of those previously unaccounted for reached 26, now confirmed deceased, summing the fatalities at 28.
Dramatic footage from state media captured the destructive flames engulfing the building alongside plumes of dark smoke. Rescue teams attended to those stranded on the rooftop.
Extended Rescue Efforts Underway
Emergency responders continued their operation well into the afternoon hours.
A local firefighting representative informed CCTV that by 4 p.m., the flames had largely been contained, although smoke was still emanating from the site with fire engines remaining active into the night.
Xi Jinping Calls for Urgent Rescue Measures
In response to the incident, President Xi Jinping ordered an immediate and comprehensive rescue mission.
He emphasized the tragic loss of life and noted that this fire follows a series of recent fatal incidents at production sites across the nation. The President urged that those accountable must be held firmly liable.
Investigation Reveals Ground Floor Origin
Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire ignited on the ground floor, according to a local official speaking to CCTV.
Authorities indicated that the factory housed flammable materials that accelerated the fire's spread.
It was noted that adhesives and other used materials emitted a potent odor causing eye discomfort for firefighters. The presence of stored items blocking stairwells hampered rescue efforts.
Detention of Company Personnel
Xinhua reported that individuals overseeing the factory, along with other pertinent officials, have been detained.
Bank accounts linked to the company have been frozen as the inquiry proceeds.
Jinjiang's Footwear Industry Significance
Known as the "shoe capital" of China, Jinjiang is pivotal in the country's footwear and clothing sectors.
Official statistics reveal that the city’s manufacturers produced over 1.2 billion pairs of shoes in 2024, representing 20% of the global output.
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