At Least 28 Killed in Fire at China's "Shoe Capital" Factory

A fire at a shoe factory in the south-eastern Chinese city of Jinjiang has killed at least 28 people, according to the state news agency Xinhua.

The blaze erupted at the Huiteng Footwear factory at approximately noon local time (05:00 BST) on Thursday. Dramatic footage released by Xinhua showed flames and enormous plumes of black smoke rising from the building, along with people who appeared to be trapped on the roof.

Fire Breaks Out at Huiteng Footwear Factory

The fire began at around noon local time on Thursday at the Huiteng Footwear facility in Jinjiang, a city in Fujian province. Visual evidence shared by state media captured the scale of the inferno, with thick black smoke ascending from the structure.

The footage also showed individuals who appeared to be trapped on the roof of the building as the fire burned.

Jinjiang: China's "Shoe Capital"

Jinjiang, located in Fujian province in south-eastern China, is commonly referred to as China's "shoe capital." The city is known as a major footwear manufacturing hub, making it a significant industrial center for shoe production in the country.

Rescue Efforts and Official Response

State broadcaster CCTV reported that 500 rescue workers were dispatched to the scene following the outbreak of the fire.

President Xi Jinping addressed the incident, stating that the fire had caused "significant casualties." His comments indicated that large numbers of people may have been killed in the blaze.

According to Xinhua, at least 28 people have been confirmed dead. The situation remains a developing news story, with additional details expected to be published as more information becomes available.

As this story continues to unfold, the full scope of the tragedy at the Huiteng Footwear factory is still coming to light. If you found this report informative, please consider sharing it with others who may be following developments in this breaking news situation.

Source: BBC News – World