China: Garment factory set on fire, 14 dead

Fourteen workers were killed after a lingerie factory in Shantou city, Guangdong province, southern China, was set on fire on December 4.

Workplace accidents in China's textile industry are common - Illustration photo: AFP

The fire broke out at around 3:30 p.m. yesterday and was extinguished half an hour later, Xinhua reported.

In addition to the 14 victims who died, workers injured in the fire have been taken to hospital for treatment.

Through initial investigation, Shantou City Police concluded that the fire was arson and by dawn on December 5, a suspect named Liu was arrested.

The investigation is still ongoing while local authorities have ordered other factories in the area to step up safety measures.

China is the world's largest textile exporter, with the industry's total export volume reaching $192.68 billion in the first three quarters of this year, according to data from the China Textile Industry Association.

However, safety standards in textile manufacturing facilities are often flouted and work accidents in the industry are common despite repeated government pledges to improve the situation.

According to TTO-M