Beijing (Agencies): At least 35 people have been killed and dozens more injured after a car rammed into a large group of pedestrians in Guangdong province in southern China, police have said. The incident occurred on Monday evening in the city of Zhuhai, with the number of wounded estimated at 43.
The suspect, surnamed Fan, attempted to flee the scene but was controlled by police on the spot. Police discovered that Fan had tried to commit self-harm with a knife inside the car. They intervened and sent him to a hospital for treatment. The suspect injured his neck badly during the act of self-harm and fell into a coma, rendering him currently unable to answer police questions.
Earlier, police reported that a vehicle had “hit multiple pedestrians and then fled the scene” at the Zhuhai Sports Center. The driver, identified as a 62-year-old man, was later detained and placed in custody. His motives remain unclear.
The dozens of pedestrians injured in the incident included senior citizens and children. Surviving victims were sent to four local hospitals, with one hospital admitting more than 20 patients. Beijing-based outlet Caixin reported that an SUV had hit members of several fitness walking groups at the outdoor track around the sports center.
Video footage from the scene captured scores of wounded people, many wearing sports gear, lying on the tracks. Witnesses were heard shouting “terrorist!” as the victims were being placed into emergency vehicles. The Zhuhai Sports Center announced that it will be shutting down until further notice following the incident.
The ramming incident took place a day before the opening of the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition 2024, the biggest in the country, which Zhuhai hosts between November 12 and 17.