Deadly factory fire in China prompts Xi Jinping to warn of heavy casualties
A devastating fire at a shoe manufacturing factory in southeastern China has resulted in what President Xi Jinping described as "heavy casualties," as emergency teams continued rescue operations at the site.
The blaze broke out around midday on Thursday at the Huiteng shoe factory in Jinjiang, a manufacturing hub in China's Fujian province, according to Chinese authorities.
Officials have not yet released an official death toll or confirmed the number of people injured, but reports indicate that several individuals were trapped inside the building after the fire erupted.
Nearly 200 Emergency Responders Deployed
China's Ministry of Emergency Management said local authorities mobilized 183 firefighters and rescue personnel, supported by 35 emergency vehicles, to contain the fire and search for survivors.
Earlier official statements referred to casualties and people trapped inside the factory without providing further details, while rescue efforts continued throughout the day.
Xi Jinping Calls For Full Rescue Effort
In remarks carried by state media, President Xi Jinping acknowledged that the disaster had caused significant human losses and called for every effort to rescue those affected and provide medical treatment to the injured.
The Chinese leader also urged authorities to determine the cause of the incident and strengthen workplace safety measures to help prevent similar industrial accidents.
Industrial Safety Remains A National Concern
Factory fires and workplace accidents continue to pose challenges for China's manufacturing sector despite ongoing efforts to improve industrial safety standards.
Authorities regularly launch investigations following major industrial incidents to identify safety failures and reinforce compliance with fire prevention and emergency response regulations.
The cause of the fire has not yet been officially determined, and rescue operations remain ongoing as authorities work to establish the full extent of the tragedy.
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