At least 35 people have lost their lives in a car attack in southern China, marking one of the deadliest acts of public violence in the country in decades.
Authorities report that a 62-year-old man, identified as Mr. Fan, drove his car into a stadium in Zhuhai on Monday, targeting people exercising on the track. The “serious and vicious attack” left 45 others injured, including elderly individuals and children, according to local media.
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Police believe Mr. Fan’s actions stemmed from anger over a divorce settlement. He was apprehended as he tried to flee and is currently in a coma due to self-inflicted injuries, police stated.
The incident has provoked national outrage, with President Xi Jinping promising “severe punishment” for the perpetrator and ordering “all-out efforts” to care for the injured.
Authorities have yet to release details about the victims, but on Tuesday, mourners and members of the public began laying flowers and tributes outside the stadium, a popular location for local exercise. Witnesses reported that Mr. Fan appeared to have intentionally driven into groups of people.
One eyewitness, Mr. Chen, told Caixin news magazine that he and his walking group had just completed a lap when a car sped towards them, “knocking down many people.” Another witness described the car “driving in loops,” injuring people throughout the track.
According to a police statement on Tuesday, initial investigations suggest Mr. Fan’s actions were triggered by a property dispute after his divorce. He remains in a coma and has yet to be questioned.
This incident may represent the most severe case of random public violence in China in recent decades. Earlier this year, in February, a mass stabbing and firearms attack in Shandong claimed at least 21 lives, though reports were heavily censored.
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Reports of Monday’s attack are already being restricted online, with witness videos removed from Chinese social media platforms. However, some footage still circulating online shows dozens of victims on the ground, receiving help from paramedics and bystanders.
In China, authorities often swiftly censor videos related to high-profile criminal incidents on social media.
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