BEIJING, July 10. /Dunyo IA/. Fire at the “Huiteng Shoes” factory in China’s Fujian Province has claimed the lives of 28 people, reports Dunyo IA correspondent, citing the Xinhua news agency.

The fire broke out around noon on July 9. At the time of the incident, 237 factory workers and two delivery personnel were inside the building. A total of 213 people were evacuated, including two who later died in hospital. Authorities also confirmed the deaths of 26 people who had previously been listed as missing.

More than 500 firefighters took part in the rescue operation. The Fujian provincial government established an emergency response headquarters to coordinate relief efforts, investigate the cause of the fire, and identify those responsible. Five specialized working groups have been placed under the headquarters’ supervision.

Police have detained the owner of the company and several other officials on suspicion of negligence. The company’s corporate bank accounts have also been frozen.

In recent days, China has been hit by severe weather, including floods, thunderstorms, and landslides, which have already claimed the lives of more than 36 people across the country.