A horrifying incident unfolded in Zhuhai, a southern Chinese city, on Monday night when a 62-year-old man deliberately drove an SUV into a crowded sports center, killing 35 people and injuring 43 others, according to police reports. The attack, described as "serious and vicious," occurred as hundreds of residents were exercising at the popular Zhuhai Sports Center, sending shockwaves across the nation.
The suspect, identified solely by his surname Fan, was taken into custody after attempting to flee the scene. Authorities reported that he was found inside the vehicle with self-inflicted wounds to his neck, rendering him unconscious and currently receiving medical treatment. Preliminary investigations suggest that Fan's motive stemmed from grievances over a property settlement following a divorce, but further questioning has been delayed due to his critical condition.
The attack took place on the eve of Airshow China, a major civil and military aviation exhibition held annually in Zhuhai. Despite increased security surrounding the high-profile event, Fan managed to breach barriers and drive his vehicle at high speed through multiple groups exercising on the track and field of the sports complex. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and devastation, with bodies strewn across different sections of the running track.
Mr. Chen, a witness who spoke to Chinese news magazine Caixin, said his exercise group had just completed its third lap when the SUV barreled through the crowd. "It drove in a loop, and people were hurt in all areas of the running track - east, south, west, and north," another eyewitness told the publication. The sports center, a community hub for fitness and social gatherings, was forced to close indefinitely in the aftermath.
ALERT - BRAIN CAR ATTACK IN CHINA - At least 35 dead and 43 injured in #China in #Zhuhai, after a ram car attack. A 62-year-old man was arrested as he fled the scene. (CNN) pic.twitter.com/dRPD8vXvIh — Direct_News24 (@NewsDirect24) November 12, 2024
The incident prompted swift condemnation and action from China's central government. President Xi Jinping expressed deep concern, urging authorities to spare no effort in treating the injured and calling for severe punishment for the perpetrator. A working group from Beijing has been dispatched to assist local authorities in managing the aftermath and conducting a comprehensive investigation.
Chinese social media platforms, heavily monitored by state censors, saw extensive efforts to scrub videos and reports of the attack. Searches for the incident yielded limited results on platforms such as Weibo, with few posts surviving the rapid content removal. However, outside China's tightly controlled internet space, footage circulated, showing bodies being attended to by paramedics and bystanders, and emergency responders performing CPR.
The incident has also raised questions about public safety measures and the frequency of seemingly random attacks targeting civilians in China. Just weeks prior, a 50-year-old man was detained in Beijing for attacking schoolchildren with a knife, leaving five injured. In September, three people were killed in a stabbing spree at a Shanghai supermarket. These tragedies underscore a disturbing trend that authorities are grappling with.
The Zhuhai attack's proximity to Airshow China, held just 40 kilometers away, has fueled speculation about potential motives or security lapses. However, officials have not established any direct connection between the assault and the exhibition. The sports center's management announced the temporary closure of several entrances and exits during the airshow to facilitate control and security.
