A man drove his car into a group exercising near a sports center in Zhuhai on Monday. This tragic incident resulted in 35 deaths and injured 43 others, according to local police.
The toll from the incident was much higher than initial reports, which only mentioned injuries. Additionally, related videos appear to have been removed from social media platforms.
Authorities identified the suspect as a 62-year-old man named Fan. He reportedly crashed his SUV through a gate and drove into people along the internal pathways of the sports facility.
Preliminary investigations indicate that Fan acted out of dissatisfaction with the property division following his divorce.
Footage from the night of the incident, verified by AFP, showed people lying motionless on the ground while others attempted to revive the unconscious. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic.
An eyewitness named Chen told the Chinese magazine Caixin that it was common for groups to walk along the designated track.
He had just completed his third lap when the vehicle suddenly sped toward them, knocking down several individuals, though he managed to jump aside.
Another witness, Liu, noted that the car “drove in a loop,” injuring people across all areas of the running track.
Police apprehended Fan at the scene while he attempted to flee. They found him inflicting self-harm in his vehicle, and he is currently in a coma, making him unavailable for questioning.
Authorities report that the 43 injured individuals are stable and not in life-threatening condition. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for comprehensive efforts to assist those who were harmed. He has also demanded that officials hold the perpetrator accountable according to the law, as stated by the Xinhua news agency.
