On Monday, November 11, 2024, a tragic incident occurred in the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai when a driver deliberately drove his vehicle into a crowd at a sports center, resulting in 35 fatalities and leaving 43 others seriously injured, according to local law enforcement.
The Zhuhai Sports Centre, a popular venue for community activities including morning exercise routines, was the site of the attack. The driver, a 62-year-old man identified by the surname “Fan,” purposefully steered his SUV into a large gathering of people on the track, as per local authorities.
When law enforcement officials intervened to prevent Fan from escaping, he started to self-inflict knife wounds, eventually losing consciousness after slashing his throat. Fan is presently under emergency medical care and is in no condition for interrogation, as stated in the police report.
Initial investigation suggests that Fan was motivated by deep discontent over his divorce settlement. Local authorities revealed that Fan had recently gone through a bitter divorce, during which he felt wronged by the distribution of property. This perceived unfairness reportedly fueled growing frustration and bitterness.
An employee at the Shang Chong Hospital emergency clinic in Zhuhai disclosed that they treated several individuals with minor injuries, most of whom departed after receiving treatment. Zhuhai People’s Hospital also reported receiving injured individuals but did not provide a specific number of patients.
The incident took place just before China’s largest biannual air show, a significant event that Zhuhai has been hosting since 1996. The event draws over 1,000 companies from nearly 50 countries to the city, which may be the reason for the one-day delay in publicizing the incident by authorities.
Zhuhai, situated in the Guangdong province, is one of China’s special economic zones and a significant port city. The sports center, where the incident took place, is a well-frequented venue for community activities and morning exercises.