China shoe factory fire kills 28 as workplace safety concerns mount

A blaze at a footwear factory in China's Fujian province killed 28 people, the latest in a string of deadly industrial accidents that killed more than 18,000 workers last year.

A fire at a shoe factory in China's Fujian province killed 28 people Thursday, the latest in a string of deadly industrial accidents that killed more than 18,000 workers nationwide last year.

"Workplace safety is often treated by some companies as a cost that can be cut, rather than as a basic responsibility that must be fulfilled," said Li Qiang, founder of China Labor Watch, a nonprofit that monitors factory conditions.

The blaze at Huiteng Shoes in Jinjiang — a city that produces about 20% of the world's athletic footwear — started around noon in a first-floor workshop, state media reported. More than 500 rescue personnel were dispatched, and 213 of the 237 workers on site were evacuated. The factory's owner and managers have been detained, and the company's accounts frozen.

The disaster highlights persistent safety failures in China's manufacturing sector even as the country ascends in advanced industries. Official data show 18,261 people died in nearly 20,000 workplace accidents in 2025, a decline of about 9% from the prior year but still among the highest tolls globally.

Flammable materials and blocked exits

The fire spread quickly through the five-story concrete building because adhesives, rubber and synthetic fabrics used in shoe production are highly flammable, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Shoe sole material piled in stairwells and exits prevented firefighters from reaching the upper floors, the local fire chief said. Open flames were extinguished after about four hours.

Jinjiang's Chendai district, where the factory is located, is a global hub for footwear manufacturing with more than 7,000 enterprises tied to the industry, producing one billion pairs of shoes annually for export to more than 50 countries, according to the city's state-run newspaper. Huiteng Shoes makes products for both Chinese and foreign brands, according to product listings on online sales platforms.

A pattern of industrial disasters

The fire is the third major industrial accident in China in as many months. In May, an explosion at a fireworks plant in Changsha, Hunan province, killed at least 37 people. That same month, a coal mine blast in northern China killed 82 people — one of the deadliest mining disasters in years. In 2024, a fire at a refrigeration facility under construction in Xinyu, Jiangxi province, killed 39.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for a swift investigation, urging officials to "draw profound lessons" and remain vigilant on production safety. Authorities have repeatedly ordered businesses to screen for workplace hazards, but enforcement remains uneven, particularly among smaller factories.

Vincent Ho, secretary-general of the Asia Pacific Occupational Safety and Health Organisation, said conditions at smaller factories are generally worse than at larger, better-resourced firms. "It is very challenging for the government to look at all these small- and medium-sized factories," Ho said.

Li Qiang said the recent disasters reflect structural issues in China's manufacturing sector. When companies face financial pressure — as many do amid a domestic economic slowdown — workplace safety measures are among the first expenditures to be cut, he said. Chinese factory workers also lack effective channels to raise safety concerns, he added.

"By the time a major accident happens and these problems are exposed, it is already too late for the workers who have lost their lives," Li said.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.