Tragic Attack in Zhuhai: 35 Killed as Driver Rams Car into Crowd Amid Suspected Resentment Over Divorce
ZHuhai, China, November 12, 2024 — A horrific scene unfolded in the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai on Monday night when a 62-year-old man drove his car into a crowd, killing 35 people and injuring 43 others. The crowd had gathered near a popular sports center, where they were exercising and marching in unison along a road temporarily closed to traffic.
According to a statement from the Zhuhai Public Security Bureau, the driver, identified only by his surname, Fan, attempted to flee but was apprehended at the scene. Authorities report that Fan, who sustained severe self-inflicted injuries, was taken to a hospital and remains unresponsive. Preliminary findings suggest that Fan was driven by resentment over the terms of a recent divorce settlement.
An Unfolding Tragedy Censored on Social Media
Videos shared on Chinese social media depicted the shocking aftermath, with bodies strewn across a stretch of road outside the sports center. However, most videos were quickly removed from online platforms, a common practice in China for sensitive or distressing content.
National Response and Condemnation from Xi Jinping
Chinese President Xi Jinping condemned the attack, describing it as “extremely serious.” He has called for stringent punishment for Fan and emphasized the need for comprehensive support for the victims and their families. “We must severely punish the murderer in accordance with the law,” Xi stated, as quoted by state broadcaster CCTV.
Incident Overshadowing China’s Largest Air Show
This tragic event occurred on the eve of China’s largest air show, where the Chinese military was set to showcase its latest stealth fighter jet. The incident has cast a shadow over the show, a critical event for China’s defense sector as it seeks to modernize and compete with American military power.
The attack has left the city of Zhuhai, and all of China, mourning a senseless loss of life while raising questions about the societal pressures that may lead to such extreme actions.
