Dozens killed in China’s shoe factory blaze
At least 28 people were killed in a fire outbreak at a shoe factory in eastern China on Thursday.
China’s Ministry of Emergency Management said that a deadly fire broke out at the Huiteng Footwear factory in Jinjiang City, east China’s Fujian Province.
State media reported that 242 people were inside the building when the fire broke out on the factory’s ground floor, including 240 workers and two visitors.
Emergency services saved 213 people; two victims died after being taken to the hospital, and 26 others were found dead at the scene.
The fire also destroyed several production materials and equipment.
Investigators have arrested some of the factory’s owners and frozen the firm’s account.
President Xi Jinping called for an immediate investigation into the fire’s cause and an “all-out” search and rescue effort, emphasising that those responsible must be held accountable.
In November 2025, over 100 people were killed after a residential complex went ablaze in Hong Kong, and a month later, another blaze resulted in 12 deaths in the Guangdong province.
The Chinese government has launched a campaign focused on eliminating fire outbreaks in high-rise buildings across the country.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Diaspora
Youth forum urges FG to intensify efforts to protect Nigerians in South Africa
The group called for diplomatic action by the federal government against South African authorities, as well as compensation and restitution for affected Nigerians.
Economy
Volkswagen plans 50,000 fresh global job cuts amid growing competitive car market
The company had earlier agreed to reduce its workforce across all groups, including Porsche and Audi subsidiaries, by 50,000, bringing the total to 100,000.
States
Flooding: Ibeju-Lekki council begins rehabilitation work on Lakowe culvert
The chairman appealed to residents and road users to cooperate with the council officials.
Agriculture
Tinubu seeks end to Africa’s raw cocoa export era
Mr Tinubu said investors were developing a 70,000-tonne cocoa processing facility in Sagamu, Ogun State.
World
South Korea targets world’s top five exporters
She said the government would pursue measures aimed at sustaining export growth through product diversification and expansion into new markets.
States
Election violence major threat to peaceful democratic transitions: NOA DG
Mr Issa-Onilu said no political ambition was worth the loss of human lives.
