Shoe Factory Fire Kills 28 in China, Sparking Safety Concerns
Authorities are investigating a blaze at a Fujian province shoe factory that claimed 28 lives, renewing scrutiny of worker safety in China's manufacturing sector.
A fire at a shoe factory in China's Fujian province killed 28 people and prompted an investigation into the cause, reigniting concerns about persistent worker safety issues in the country's manufacturing industry.
The blaze occurred Thursday at the Fujian Huiteng factory in Jinjiang, a city known as China's "shoe capital." The factory produces footwear for both domestic and international brands, according to its online product listings.
When the fire broke out, 237 workers and two visitors were inside the five-story building. Of the 213 people rescued, two died after being hospitalized, and an additional 26 missing individuals were later confirmed dead, state broadcaster CCTV reported. The search has since concluded.
Local media captured footage of individuals trapped on the roof, surrounded by thick black smoke, as water from fire hoses struggled to reach the upper floors where flames were visible.
Investigation and Arrests
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for a swift investigation and stated that those responsible will be held accountable. The factory's owner and managers have been arrested, and the company's financial accounts have been frozen.
A local fire department official told CCTV that piles of shoe sole material in the stairwells, which are highly flammable, impeded firefighters' efforts to reach the blaze. The fire reportedly started on the first level, which housed a workshop and a warehouse.
Firefighters dispatched 183 personnel and 35 vehicles, extinguishing the open flames after approximately four hours. More than 500 people participated in the subsequent search and rescue operations, according to Xinhua.
Persistent Safety Issues
Workplace safety remains a significant challenge in China. This incident follows a deadly explosion at a fireworks plant in Changsha in May that killed at least 37 people, and a fire at a refrigeration facility in Xinyu in January that resulted in 39 fatalities.
Despite repeated directives from authorities for businesses to assess workplace hazards, accidents continue. Official data indicated that in 2025, 18,261 people died in nearly 20,000 workplace accidents nationwide, a decrease from the previous year.
Jinjiang's shoe industry is a cornerstone of its economy, producing about one-fifth of the world's athletic shoes, exceeding one billion pairs annually. This industrial hub's development is often cited as a model for China's rise as a global manufacturing power.