Video: 28 killed in massive factory fire in China's footwear manufacturing hub

At least 28 people were killed after a massive fire broke out at the Huiteng Shoes factory in eastern China's Fujian province on Thursday. Hundreds of firefighters were deployed as emergency crews battled the blaze for hours.

According to state news agency Xinhua, the fire started at around 12.04 pm (local time) at the Huiteng Shoes factory on Kaituo Road East in Jiangtou village, Chendai township, in the city of Jinjiang. Within minutes, flames engulfed the building, sending thick black smoke high into the sky.

Authorities in nearby Quanzhou dispatched 183 firefighters and 35 fire engines to battle the blaze. Rescue teams worked for hours before bringing the fire under control later in the afternoon.

Videos shared on Chinese social media showed dramatic scenes from the factory.

Towering flames consumed large sections of the building as heavy smoke poured into the sky. Several people were seen stranded on the rooftop, waving desperately for help while rescue teams rushed to reach them.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

XI ORDERS 'ALL-OUT' RESCUE EFFORT

President Xi Jinping responded quickly to the disaster, ordering authorities to spare no effort in rescuing anyone trapped inside the factory and ensuring the injured received immediate medical treatment.

According to Xinhua, Xi also instructed officials to properly support the victims' families and carry out a swift investigation into what caused the fire.

He said those found responsible should be held accountable.

Xi noted that China has witnessed several major industrial safety accidents this year and urged authorities across the country to learn from the latest tragedy.

"All regions and relevant departments must deeply learn from these lessons, better coordinate development and safety, and always keep a tight string on production safety," Xi said.

China's Ministry of Emergency Management said it had sent a joint task force, together with the Fire and Rescue Administration, to Jinjiang to coordinate rescue efforts and determine exactly how many people were inside the factory when the fire broke out.

HEART OF CHINA'S SHOE INDUSTRY

The tragedy struck one of China's most important manufacturing centres.

Chendai township is regarded as the heart of Jinjiang's vast footwear industry. The area produces more than one billion pairs of sports shoes every year, making it one of the world's largest shoe manufacturing hubs.

Jinjiang alone accounts for roughly one in every five pairs of athletic shoes produced globally, supplying products for both domestic and international markets.

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