At least 35 people were killed and 43 others injured when an SUV driven by a 62-year-old man, surnamed Fan, crashed into a crowd exercising at a stadium in Zhuhai, China, on Monday.
The incident occurred at the Zhuhai Sports Centre when Fan reportedly drove through a barrier in what police described as a “serious and vicious attack.” Many of the injured were elderly, with some teenagers and children also affected. Fan was apprehended while attempting to flee but is currently in a coma due to self-inflicted injuries.
Despite increased security for a major airshow in the city, initial investigations suggest the attack was motivated by Fan’s dissatisfaction with a property settlement following his divorce.
However, because of his coma, authorities are unable to question him directly.
While Chinese censors have removed most videos of the incident from social media, some footage remains online, showing victims being assisted by bystanders and paramedics.
Eyewitnesses reported that multiple groups of people were walking around the stadium when the SUV suddenly sped toward them, hitting numerous individuals across different areas of the track.
It is unclear if the attack is connected to the ongoing Airshow China, which is taking place 40km away. The show is displaying military equipment, including warplanes and drones, and Russian official Sergei Shoigu is expected to attend.
Following the attack, President Xi Jinping expressed deep concern, calling for all efforts to treat the injured and for the harsh punishment of the attacker.
A government team has been sent to manage the incident, and investigations are ongoing.
This attack comes amid a series of recent violent incidents in China, including a stabbing spree in Shanghai and the death of a Japanese student in southern China.
