China’s emergency management ministry announced that about 200 firefighters and rescue workers were dispatched to a shoe factory in Fujian province on Thursday.
Authorities have confirmed there have been casualties, but exact numbers have not yet been released. He said “complete” efforts are underway to extinguish the fire.
chairman Xi Jinping State media were quoted as saying that “huge humanitarian losses” are feared as many workers are believed to be still trapped inside the building in the city of Jinjiang.
“No stone should be left unturned in search and rescue operations and in assisting the families,” he said.
Dozens of fire engines were seen dumping water on the burnt multi-storey factory as smoke continued to billow from the site.
“At the same time, the causes of the fire should be investigated, lessons should be learned and effective measures should be taken to prevent recurrence of such accidents,” the ministry said in a statement.
deadly fire shower
In November, Beijing launched a renewed campaign to bring high-rise buildings and factories up to fire code after a fire at several tower blocks in Hong Kong killed 168 people.
A month later, 12 people died in a residential building in Guangdong province.
Edited by: Zack Crellin