A tragic event unfolded in Zhuhai, China, where a driver plowed into a crowd, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.
In a violent display of rage allegedly sparked by a divorce settlement, a motorist killed 35 people by driving into a crowd at a sports center in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, on the evening of November 11, 2024, Daily Mail reported.
The catastrophic incident occurred outside a sports facility initially constructed for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, now a local community hub. The driver, identified by the police only by his surname Fan, a 62-year-old man, succumbed to self-inflicted injuries and is currently in a comatose state.
The scene was one of chaos and despair as emergency services rushed to the sports center, tending to the 43 injured, some severely. The attack predominantly harmed middle-aged and elderly individuals, who were exercising at the time.
In addition, videos circulating online, although heavily censored, display the urgent medical responses undertaken by emergency crews. Firefighters administered CPR to several victims, indicating the severity of the incident.
Meanwhile, local hospitals, including Shang Chong Hospital and Zhuhai People’s Hospital, are managing the treatment of the injured. “Some slightly injured people...most of them left after the treatment,” mentioned a man at the emergency clinic, highlighting the varying degrees of injuries sustained.
Witnesses reported seeing the attacker’s vehicle speeding erratically around the area. “It drove in a loop, and people were hurt in all areas of the running track - east, south, west, and north,” recalled Mr. Chen, a witness to the horrible event.
Furthermore, the fan reportedly acted out of extreme dissatisfaction with the outcomes of his recent divorce, particularly the terms of the property settlement, which may have triggered his drastic and deadly response. Among the victims, the devastation was palpable. In the chaos that ensued, one woman was overheard exclaiming about her injuries, stating that the vehicle assault had broken her foot.
While the community reels from this attack, the Chinese authorities have imposed restrictions on the dissemination of information, concurrently with the Zhuhai Airshow happening in the vicinity. This has led to tight control over the news spreading via social media platforms.
The sports center, a pivotal part of the local community since its opening, has declared an indefinite closure as the investigation continues and the area recovers from the impact of Monday's events.>
Reflecting on a year marked by traffic-related tragedies, this attack adds to a grim tally which includes a September crash in Hunan province and a fatal school bus accident in eastern China, not forgetting a similar incident in Changsha that claimed eight lives.
This incident underscores persistent issues surrounding road safety and the extreme measures individuals might resort to following personal crises. The police, having released a statement shortly after the event, are further investigating the motive behind Fan’s actions, which have led to this devastating loss of life and trauma.
As this story develops, the community, authorities, and media are faced with the challenge of addressing the broader implications of such violent acts and the societal strains they reflect. Additionally, with the ongoing investigation, one key question remains unanswered: What can we do to prevent such tragedies in the future? As the town of Zhuhai mourns, the focus now shifts toward healing and understanding the deep-seated issues that led to this catastrophic event.
