China: 'Heavy human losses' expected in shoe factory fire

China's Ministry of Emergency Management announced that some 200 fire and rescue workers had been dispatched to a shoe factory in Fujian province on Thursday.

Authorities have confirmed that there were casualties, but exact numbers have yet to be released. They said an "all-out" effort was underway to put the fire out.

President Xi Jinping was quoted by state media that "heavy human losses" were expected as many workers were believed to still be trapped inside the building in the city of Jinjiang.

"No effort must be spared in search and rescue operations and in supporting the families" he added.

Dozens of fire trucks were seen dumping water on the burnt multi-story factory as smoke continued to billow from the site.

"Simultaneously, the cause of the fire must be investigated, lessons learned, and effective measures taken to prevent similar accidents from recurring," the ministry said in a statement.

Spate of deadly fires

Beijing launched a renewed campaign to bring high-rise buildings and factories in line with fire codes in November after 168 people were killed in Hong Kong where several tower blocks went up in flames.

A month later, a residential building in Guangdong province killed 12 people.

Edited by: Zac Crellin