Zhuhai tragedy: SUV attack leaves 35 dead, 43 injured
In the city of Zhuhai in southern China, a man driving an SUV intentionally drove into a group of people, killing at least 35 and injuring 43 others. According to preliminary police findings, the perpetrator wanted to "take revenge on society" due to dissatisfaction with the division of property after a divorce.
12:19 PM EST, November 12, 2024
The tragedy occurred on Monday before 8 p.m. local time. According to local police, 62-year-old Fan, a divorcee, forcefully struck people exercising and walking on a track and the plaza near a sports center and then attempted to flee the scene.
Security services reported that the perpetrator was apprehended while "sitting in the vehicle, inflicting knife wounds on himself." The man was taken to the hospital with neck and lower limb injuries; he is currently in a coma.
Police stated that Fan's motive was "dissatisfaction with the division of his property after the divorce." This is another case of a desperate act described as "revenge on society," which has occurred in China in recent years. Such attacks, like knife assaults in schools or deliberate hits on pedestrians, often stem from personal frustrations or a desire for revenge against government decisions.
The Hong Kong newspaper "Mingpao" notes that even on Monday evening, the first reports from Chinese media and posts from internet users were being removed, and materials on social media were being replaced with the message "the file cannot be displayed." According to the newspaper, authorities were trying to quickly censor the information to avoid panic before the start of the international Zhuhai Airshow.
During the Zhuhai Airshow, which runs until Sunday, the Chinese J-35A fighter and the Russian Su-57 were showcased. Authorities wanted to avoid any negative impact from the news of the attack on the country's image during this prestigious event.
In China, the problem of desperate attacks on random individuals is growing. Experts point out that such behavior often causes dissatisfaction with personal life or a desire for revenge due to government decisions.