Fire at a shoe factory in China kills 28 people in the southeast of the country By Bruna
2 min read
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A fire broke out at a shoe factory in southeast China on Thursday, July 9, resulting in 28 deaths, as reported by state news agency Xinhua. The fire started around noon in Jinjiang, Fujian province, and quickly spread to several floors of the building.
Videos released by state broadcaster CCTV showed flames engulfing the entire structure and thick black smoke rising into the sky. In the images, several people appeared trapped on the roof of the factory while smoke surrounded them, highlighting the desperation of those who managed to reach the top of the building.
Chinese government response and rescue operations
President Xi Jinping had already expressed concern about the damage caused by the fire and asked for maximum commitment in the search and care for those affected. “No effort must be spared in search and rescue operations and in supporting families”, he declared, also stating that the cause must be identified “quickly” so that those responsible can be punished.
Emergency teams deployed 183 professionals and 35 vehicles to combat the incident. Operations advanced significantly, and the flames were largely extinguished at around 5:40 pm (6:40 am Brasília time), according to an official from the local fire department.
Flammable materials accelerated the spread
Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire originated on the ground floor of the factory. The materials used to make shoes stored at the site were highly flammable, which facilitated the rapid spread of the flames, according to regional authorities.
Due to the adhesives and components present in the production, the odor at the site was intense enough to cause eye irritation to rescuers and professionals close to the fire, according to information from CCTV.
The importance of Jinjiang in the global footwear industry
Jinjiang, located in the coastal province of Fujian, is one of China’s largest footwear and apparel manufacturing centers. The city is often recognized as the “shoe capital” of the country, home to thousands of companies in the sector.
In 2024, factories in Jinjiang produced more than 1.2 billion pairs of shoes, representing approximately 20% of global footwear production, according to data released by local authorities. This accident occurs in a strategic industrial hub that generates billions in business and employs hundreds of thousands of workers in the region.
