A massive fire at a shoe factory in eastern China on Thursday killed at least 28 people, while fire and rescue teams continued efforts to bring the blaze under control, according to state broadcaster CCTV.&nbsp;The fire broke out around noon (0400 GMT) at the Huiteng Shoes factory in Jinjiang city in Fujian province. Several hours after the blaze started, some people were still feared to be inside the building.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Massive fire breaks out at Huiteng Shoes Co., Ltd. factory in Jinjiang, Quanzhou, Fujian Province, China 🇨🇳 (09.07.2026) Multiple people are trapped as emergency rescue operations get underway. <a href="https://t.co/ZJHSRrHRNx">pic.twitter.com/ZJHSRrHRNx</a>&mdash; Disaster News (@Top_Disaster) <a href="https://x.com/Top_Disaster/status/2075208973045903418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Footage aired by CCTV showed firefighters spraying water on the outside and inside of the large multi-storey white building as thick black smoke billowed into the sky. People were seen taking shelter near windows and on the roof while flames spread through the lower floors.&nbsp;The Ministry of Emergency Management said it sent 183 personnel and 35 vehicles to the site to assist with rescue and firefighting operations. The ministry said the fire was being extinguished and called for "all-out" efforts to put out the blaze, search for trapped survivors and treat the injured.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-fighter-jet-escorts-khamenei-s-coffin-ahead-of-final-burial-kill-trump-banner-appears-in-mashhad-1783598850668">Watch: Fighter jet escorts Khamenei's coffin ahead of final burial; 'Kill Trump' banner appears in Mashhad</a>&nbsp;President Xi Jinping responded to the incident by describing the fire as having caused "heavy human losses" and called on authorities to step up search and rescue operations.&nbsp;According to remarks carried by Xinhua, Xi also demanded a swift investigation into the cause, stating that "those responsible must be strictly held accountable."&nbsp;China launched a campaign against fire hazards in high-rise buildings in November after a major blaze engulfed several tower blocks in Hong Kong, killing 168 people.&nbsp;A month later, a fire at a residential building in southern China's Guangdong province claimed 12 lives.

A fire erupted around noon at the Huiteng Shoes factory in Jinjiang city in Fujian province. Hours after the blaze began, some people were still feared trapped inside the building.

A massive fire at a shoe factory in eastern China on Thursday killed at least 28 people, while fire and rescue teams continued efforts to bring the blaze under control, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The fire broke out around noon (0400 GMT) at the Huiteng Shoes factory in Jinjiang city in Fujian province. Several hours after the blaze started, some people were still feared to be inside the building.

A fire erupted around noon at the Huiteng Shoes factory in Jinjiang city in Fujian province. Hours after the blaze began, some people were still feared trapped inside the building.

Video | Massive factory fire in China's manufacturing hub kills 28, Xi orders accountability

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Video | Massive factory fire in China's manufacturing hub kills 28, Xi orders accountability