A fire broke out Thursday morning at a shoe factory in Jinjiang, Fujian province, China, killing 28 people. While the total number of dead or injured remains unknown, significant casualties are feared, and President Xi Jinping stated that heavy human losses were expected.
The Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched 183 rescue workers and 35 vehicles to the scene. Footage shared by state television CCTV showed firefighters dousing the facade and interior of a large, multi-story white building as thick black smoke poured out. Video released by state news media also showed at least a dozen people appearing to be trapped on the roof of the factory.
President Xi Jinping issued instructions urging an all-out rescue effort to extinguish the blaze, search for survivors, and treat the injured. He further called on authorities to hold those responsible for the incident strictly accountable.