At least 28 people died in a fire at a shoe factory in Jinjiang, a city in southeastern China’s Fujian province, on Thursday, according to Chinese state media. The incident marks the latest in a series of serious workplace accidents in China this year, prompting a swift response from President Xi Jinping.

The fire broke out around noon local time at the Fujian Huiteng Shoes factory, which is located in an area known as China’s shoe capital. Of the 239 people present at the site, 213 were evacuated, while at least a dozen individuals were reportedly trapped on the roof during the incident, according to footage from state news outlets. The blaze was largely brought under control by approximately 5 p.m., according to reports from a government-affiliated newspaper.

President Xi emphasized the need for “all-out efforts” to rescue those trapped, investigate the fire’s cause, and “hold those responsible accountable,” according to the state broadcaster CCTV. His prompt public statement was notable, as the Chinese government typically delays release of detailed information until a fuller investigation is completed. Analysts note that such high-level involvement often signals a directive to local authorities to prioritize resource deployment and response coordination.

The factory owner has been detained, and the company’s financial accounts have been frozen, as reported by the official news agency Xinhua.

China has experienced a number of fatal industrial accidents in recent months. In May, a coal mine blast in northern China resulted in 82 deaths, and an explosion at a fireworks factory in central China killed 26 people weeks earlier. Additionally, a deadly residential fire occurred in Hong Kong in November, claiming at least 161 lives in its deadliest fire since 1948.

Workplace incidents remain a significant challenge in China despite efforts to improve safety measures over the past decade. Official statistics indicate approximately 3,000 deaths or missing persons linked to workplace accidents occurred during the first quarter of 2026 alone. Mr. Xi acknowledged this pattern during his remarks, urging regional governments to enhance coordination, adopt lessons from recent tragedies, and maintain vigilance to prevent future disasters.