35 Dead, 43 Injured as Driver Deliberately Rams Car into Crowd in Zhuhai, China

A devastating incident occurred in the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai on Monday evening, resulting in the deaths of 35 people and injuries to 43 others. A 62-year-old man, identified only by his family name of Fan, deliberately drove his car into a crowd of people exercising at a sports center in the Xiangzhou district of Zhuhai.

The incident happened at around 7:48 p.m. local time, just a day before the city was set to host China‘s premier aviation exhibition, the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition. The sports center, a popular spot for local residents to engage in activities such as jogging, soccer, and social dancing, was the scene of the tragedy.

Videos shared on social media showed chaotic scenes with people lying motionless on the ground, and a firefighter performing CPR on one of the victims. The videos were posted by news blogger Li Ying, known as Teacher Li on X, before they were quickly censored by Chinese authorities.

The driver, who was detained at the scene, attempted to flee but was apprehended by police. He had also self-harmed with a knife, causing severe neck injuries. Preliminary investigations suggest that the incident may have been triggered by the suspect’s discontent following a divorce.

President Xi Jinping has ordered severe punishment for the perpetrator and all-out efforts to treat the injured. The central government has dispatched a team to provide guidance on handling the case.

The incident has been subject to heavy censorship on Chinese social media platforms, with searches and articles related to the event being removed or restricted ahead of the Zhuhai Airshow.