In a tragic incident on Tuesday (12 Nov) in Zhuhai, China, a 62-year-old man drove his vehicle into a group of people exercising at the Zhuhai Sports Centre, killing 35 and injuring 43.
The attack occurred as individuals were engaged in routine fitness activities around the centre.
Local police disclosed on Tuesday that 35 people had died from their injuries despite emergency medical efforts.
An additional 43 people were injured and are currently being treated at local hospitals. While their injuries are serious, their conditions are reportedly not life-threatening.
According to Zhuhai authorities, the suspect, identified only by the surname Fan, allegedly rammed his vehicle through the gates of the sports centre, targeting people exercising along the facility’s internal roads.
Police stated that Fan attempted to flee the scene after the ramming, but officers arrived promptly, restraining him before he could escape.
When police approached the vehicle, they reportedly found Fan attempting to harm himself with a knife, inflicting injuries on his neck and other parts of his body.
Fan was transported to a hospital, where he remains in critical condition and is currently in a coma, rendering interrogation impossible.
Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the incident on 12 November, calling for “all-out efforts” to aid the injured and for strict legal actions against the perpetrator.
The president’s remarks, relayed by the state news agency Xinhua, underscore the government’s resolve to investigate and punish the driver in accordance with the law.
Police suggested that the attack may have been triggered by Fan’s frustration over a recent divorce settlement, which reportedly left him dissatisfied with the division of assets.
Though this information was obtained through preliminary investigations and Fan remains in a coma, authorities have cited this personal grievance as a potential motive.
However, the rapid conclusions regarding his motive, despite the lack of interrogation, have sparked scepticism among some members of the public, who questioned how authorities could ascertain his intentions without a statement from the suspect.
Criticism emerged on Chinese social media, where several users voiced disbelief over the police’s statement, suggesting that more thorough investigation should precede any conclusions regarding motive.
Some comments, quickly deleted by social media censors, implied deeper social issues at play, arguing that societal pressures and economic instability might contribute to incidents like this.
Users noted a rise in such violent incidents, attributing them to increasing social discontent and public grievances in the wake of economic hardships.
Complicating the incident’s coverage, Chinese authorities have reportedly restricted the distribution of video footage and images related to the event.
Multiple videos documenting the aftermath, which had circulated on Chinese social media platforms on Monday night, were removed by Tuesday.
Users reported that keywords related to the incident, such as “Zhuhai Sports Centre,” have been heavily moderated or blocked on major platforms.
The incident occurred just as Zhuhai is hosting the 2023 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, a prominent event highlighting China’s advancements in civil and military aerospace technology.
The high-profile nature of the exhibition and the significant presence of international visitors has added to the urgency with which authorities are handling the case, as well as the extensive efforts to control public discourse on the matter.
Mr Gu, a current affairs commentator based in Guangdong, spoke to Radio Free Asia about the incident, linking it to broader societal issues, including high unemployment rates and the psychological pressures facing citizens.
He suggested that such factors, exacerbated by a challenging economic climate, contribute to public discontent and may drive individuals to extreme actions.
“People are feeling extremely agitated and resentful. These kinds of incidents are increasing,” he stated, indicating that the rise in violence may reflect a deeper, systemic issue within society.
As authorities proceed with the investigation, Fan has been placed under criminal detention on charges of endangering public safety through dangerous methods.
Once his health stabilises, further details on his motive and circumstances leading to the attack may be clarified through interrogation.
The case has reignited public discussions on mental health, economic stressors, and the importance of addressing social grievances before they lead to violent outcomes.
