A fire erupted at the Huiteng shoe factory in Jinjiang city, Fujian province, southeast China, around 12:00 today. 193 firefighters and 35 fire vehicles were deployed to combat the blaze. The cause of the incident remains unknown.
Images from the scene showed many people trapped on the factory roof as the fire raged. They stood shirtless amidst thick black smoke, while firefighters continuously sprayed water to cool them down.
Xinhua news agency quoted Chinese President Xi Jinping as stating the fire caused "heavy casualties". "All efforts must be made for search, rescue, and supporting victims' families," he said.
The Chinese leader also demanded an urgent investigation into the fire's cause to determine the responsibilities of involved parties, ensuring that those accountable are dealt with according to regulations.
The exact number of people killed and injured in the factory fire is currently unclear.
China's Ministry of Emergency Management announced it is mobilizing all resources to quickly control the blaze, search for those still trapped, and treat the injured.
Late last year, China launched a campaign to review fire safety risks in high-rise buildings, following a large fire in a Hong Kong apartment complex that killed 168 people. A month later, an apartment fire in Guangdong province, southern China, claimed the lives of 12 more.
Huyen Le (According to Xinhua, AFP, CCTV)
