China factory fire claims at least 28 lives; Xi Jinping says ‘heavy human losses’

A devastating fire at a shoe factory in eastern China's Fujian province on Thursday claimed the lives of at least 28 people, according to state media, despite a massive firefighting and rescue operation to contain the blaze.

The fire erupted around noon at the Huiteng Shoes factory in Jinjiang city, prompting emergency responders to rush to the scene, reported AFP. Hours later, concerns remained that several people could still be trapped inside the building.

Xi Jinping reacts

Chinese President Xi Jinping described the incident as one that had caused "heavy human losses", while state news agency Xinhua later reported a preliminary death toll of 28. Jinping, in remarks carried by Xinhua, urged authorities to intensify search and rescue operations.

Jinping called for a swift investigation into the incident, stating, "The cause of the accident should be identified as soon as possible and... those responsible must be strictly held accountable."

What did the video show?

Video by state-run CCTV showed firefighters spraying water on both the exterior and interior of a large multi-storey white factory building as dense black smoke billowed into the sky.

The footage also showed people sheltering near windows and on the rooftop while flames engulfed the lower levels of the building.

In a statement, China's Ministry of Emergency Management said it had deployed 183 rescue personnel and 35 vehicles to tackle the blaze.

Live television footage aired by CCTV showed the fire-ravaged factory, with thick grey smoke continuing to pour from shattered windows.

The Ministry of Emergency Management said firefighters were continuing efforts to bring the blaze under control and called for "all-out" measures to extinguish the fire, rescue those trapped inside and provide medical treatment to the injured.

According to Xinhua, several people remained trapped and were "out of contact".

China factory blast in May

Senior Chinese officials have overseen rescue and relief operations after a powerful explosion at a fireworks factory on May 4 killed 36 people, destroying buildings and leaving victims buried under piles of debris. Authorities have also vowed to hold those responsible accountable for the incident.

Two days after the blast, smoke was still rising from the factory in Liuyang, a city in Hunan province that is regarded as China's fireworks capital, accounting for around 60% of the domestic market and nearly 70 % of the country's fireworks exports.

The explosion reduced several buildings to rubble, with debris scattered across the site surrounded by lush hills. Broken glass littered nearby roads, while residents whose homes were damaged began repair work.

Local authorities suspended operations at all fireworks manufacturing units in Liuyang pending comprehensive safety inspections.

According to the ruling Communist Party's China Daily, Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing led senior officials on Tuesday in directing emergency rescue and response efforts. The newspaper also reported that the State Council, China's cabinet, would establish an investigation team to determine the cause of the explosion.

State media, including Xinhua and CCTV, said the blast occurred on Monday afternoon at the Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Co. The force of the explosion shattered doors and windows in neighbouring villages.

More than 1,500 firefighters, rescue workers, medical personnel and police were deployed to search for survivors. Emergency teams also used 18 drones and robots to detect potential hazards and neutralise them.

Authorities evacuated nearby areas due to concerns over highly combustible black powder stored in two warehouses at the factory complex, although the number of evacuees was not immediately disclosed.

The Liuyang explosion is the latest in a series of industrial and fireworks-related accidents in China. Jinping ordered a prompt investigation into the incident and called for those found responsible to be held accountable.

The latest tragedy comes months after China launched a nationwide campaign in November to address fire safety risks in high-rise buildings following a massive blaze that engulfed several residential towers in Hong Kong, killing 168 people. In December, another fire at a residential building in Guangdong province claimed 12 lives. In June last year, a separate explosion at a fireworks factory in Hunan killed nine people and injured 26.