November 12th 2024.
Next up on the news, we have a tragic incident from southern China. Reports say that at least 35 people have lost their lives and 43 others have been injured after a driver intentionally drove his car into a group of people who were exercising at a sports centre. This shocking event took place in the city of Zhuhai on Monday evening.
The police immediately responded to the scene and apprehended a 62-year-old man who was later identified as Fan. He was taken to the hospital after attempting to take his own life following the attack. The motive behind this horrific act is still unknown, and the authorities are continuing their investigations.
According to state media, one of the four hospitals that received the injured victims reported more than 20 cases. The identity of the attacker was revealed by the police, following the standard practice of using a family name only. They also mentioned that the vehicle had hit multiple pedestrians.
Videos taken by onlookers at the scene showed a firefighter performing CPR on one of the victims, while others were being asked to leave the area. These videos were shared by a news blogger known as Teacher Li on social media. He regularly posts daily news based on user submissions. The footage also showed several people lying on the ground, with one woman crying out for help as she mentioned her broken foot.
As news of this tragic incident spread, it was noticed that Chinese social media platforms had heavily censored any information related to it. A search on Weibo, a popular social media platform, showed only a few posts with limited details and no pictures. Articles published by Chinese media about the attack were also taken down.
It is common for Chinese internet censors to closely monitor and control social media during important events such as the National People's Congress. The sports centre in Xiangzhou, where this incident took place, is a popular spot for hundreds of residents to engage in activities like running, soccer, and social dancing. However, following this tragedy, the centre announced that it would be closed until further notice.
Authorities have arrested the suspect, Fan, who is currently in custody. Unfortunately, this is not the first time such a violent attack has occurred in China. In the past, there have been incidents where innocent people, including schoolchildren, have been targeted by attackers. In October, a 50-year-old man was detained for allegedly attacking children at a school in Beijing with a knife, injuring five individuals. In September, three people lost their lives in a knife attack at a Shanghai supermarket.
The President of China, Xi Jinping, has ordered local governments to take necessary measures to help the injured and to severely punish the perpetrator. He also urged them to strengthen the prevention and control of such risks and to resolve conflicts and disputes promptly. We hope that justice will be served, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families during this difficult time.
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