Driver rams into crowd in Zhuhai, China, killing 35 in horrific car attack

A deadly attack occurred in Zhuhai, southern China, when a 62-year-old driver, Fan, rammed his car into a crowd at a sports centre, killing 35 people and injuring 43 others. The incident took place on Monday night but was not officially reported by authorities until nearly 24 hours later. Videos circulating on social media showed the horrific aftermath, but these were quickly censored by the government.

The driver, Fan, was later captured by police and hospitalized with self-inflicted knife wounds. Authorities revealed that Fan was distressed over his divorce settlement. Following the attack, candles and flowers were placed at the scene as a sign of mourning. Around 30 people gathered at the site, with many delivery drivers adding bouquets to the growing memorial.

Rescue teams worked tirelessly, with over 300 healthcare workers from five hospitals trying to save the victims. The attack occurred as Zhuhai was hosting China’s largest annual airshow, though no link to the event was found. This was not the first attack in the area; in 2008, a truck ramming incident during the airshow killed four and injured 20.

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed outrage, ordering swift treatment for the wounded and severe punishment for the perpetrator. The government has sent a team to assist local authorities in managing the case. Violent crime is uncommon in China due to strict security and gun laws, but recent knife attacks in large cities have raised concerns about public safety.

The attack in Zhuhai stands as one of the deadliest in recent Chinese history, surpassing the 2014 Urumqi bombing, which killed 39 people. While rare, such incidents are drawing attention to the increasing safety challenges in public spaces.