Major Fire at Chinese Shoe Factory Results in Multiple Casualties, Xi Jinping Calls for Investigation

A significant fire broke out at a shoe manufacturing facility in Jinjiang, Fujian province, on Thursday, resulting in multiple casualties, according to Chinese state media. President Xi Jinping ordered urgent investigations into the incident, emphasizing the need to rescue survivors, treat the injured, and identify responsible parties.

The blaze, reported to have started around noon local time, engulfed the top floors of the building, with visible flames and thick smoke observed by emergency responders. Witness accounts and state media footage indicated that at least twelve individuals were trapped on the rooftop during the evacuation.

Xi Jinping, addressing the nation via CCTV, urged local authorities to prioritize search-and-rescue operations and expedite fire containment efforts. The Ministry of Emergency Management confirmed the incident caused casualties but withheld specific figures, as efforts to extinguish the fire continued until approximately 5 p.m.

The facility, linked to Fujian Huiteng Shoes, is reported to employ over 150 workers. State media highlighted the company’s business records to contextualize the scale of the operation.

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