13-11-2024 (ZHUHAI) In a devastating turn of events, Chinese authorities have confirmed that 35 people were killed and 43 others injured when a man drove his vehicle into crowds at a sports facility in the southern city of Zhuhai, marking one of the country’s most severe incidents of public violence in recent memory.
Local police revealed Tuesday that the perpetrator, a 62-year-old man identified only by his surname Fan, deliberately crashed his SUV through the sports centre’s entrance on Monday evening, targeting exercisers using the facility’s internal roadways. Investigators cited property division disputes following his divorce as the apparent motivation for the attack.
Witness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the incident. A regular visitor to the facility, identified as Mr Chen, described narrowly escaping the vehicle’s path after completing his third lap of the track. Another witness, Mr Liu, reported that the attacker systematically targeted people around the entire circuit, leaving casualties scattered across all sections of the running track.
#zhuhai car attack. Updates, the casualties of Nov 11 Zhuhai terror car attack on pedestrians go to 34, this was how the authorities clean the ground next day of the incident. pic.twitter.com/BgNNEHiDk2
— China Tragedy Stories (@cntragedy) November 12, 2024
The aftermath has prompted a significant security response, with authorities maintaining a heavy presence at the scene. A makeshift memorial has emerged near one of the facility’s entrances, where mourners have been sending flower deliveries throughout the evening. Local hospitals have seen an outpouring of support, with residents queuing to donate blood for the injured.
The suspect was apprehended at the scene while attempting to flee. Police found him with severe self-inflicted knife wounds and he remains in a comatose state, preventing immediate questioning. Medical officials have confirmed that none of the 43 injured survivors face life-threatening conditions.
President Xi Jinping has personally intervened, calling for comprehensive care for the wounded and strict legal consequences for the perpetrator. The incident has prompted Japan’s embassy in China to issue safety alerts to its citizens, advising them to maintain a low profile.
