2024 Zhuhai car attack
| 2024 Zhuhai car attack | |
|---|---|
 Zhuhai Sports Center in 2021 | |
 Location of Zhuhai in Guangdong, China | |
| Location | Zhuhai, Guangdong, China |
| Date | 11 November 2024 19:48 CST (UTC+08:00) |
Attack type | Vehicle-ramming attack |
| Weapon | SUV |
| Deaths | 35 |
| Injured | 44 (including the perpetrator) |
| Motive | Dissatisfaction with the division of marital property from his divorce (suspected) |
The 2024 Zhuhai car attack was a vehicle-ramming attack that occurred on November 11, 2024, in Zhuhai, Guangdong, China. In the attack, a 62-year-old man drove his vehicle into the Zhuhai Sports Center and struck people on the outdoor fitness track, causing significant casualties. The attack resulted in 35 deaths and 43 injuries.[1] A suspect was taken into custody and sent to hospital after harming himself with a knife.[1]
It is the largest loss of life in a single incident in China since a string of terrorism attacks in Xinjiang in 2014.[2]
Attack
At approximately 19:48 (GMT+8)[3] on 11 November 2024, an attacker drove an SUV into people exercising at the Zhuhai Sports Center running track.[4] There was heightened security in Zhuhai, which was to host a major civil and military airshow the next day.[5] An eyewitness said that the driver drove in a loop on a running track, striking many people.[6]
At first, news of the attack was censored on Chinese social media platforms. Posts and news articles were taken down during the first 24 hours, while videos spread over X (formerly Twitter).[7] Teacher Li Is Not Your Teacher posted a video on X of several people lying on the ground and a woman yelling in pain while a firefighter rendered aid to a victim.[8] X is banned in China.[2]
On 12 November, Zhuhai Police stated that the attack resulted in 35 deaths and 43 injuries.[1]
Suspect
According to a police statement, the alleged attacker was a 62-year-old divorced man with family name Fan.[1] Fan was found unconscious with wounds to his neck consistent with self-harm and was taken to hospital for treatment.[1] Police said that Fan entered a coma after he cut himself in the neck with a knife.[9] Early reports claimed that the attack stemmed from discontent over Fan having been recently divorced.[4][1]
Reactions
Local officials including the party secretary and mayor promptly arrived at the scene to oversee the rescue operations and established a task force to expedite medical treatment for the injured, investigate the attack, and support and console the victims’ families. The Zhuhai Sports Center issued a notice at around 9 p.m. in November 11, announcing the immediate suspension of operations.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, along with Premier Li Qiang, issued directives on the evening of November 12, calling for full efforts to treat the injured, severe punishment of the perpetrator according to the law, and measures to mitigate societal risks[10]. The central government has dispatched a working group to Guangdong to guide and assist with post-incident measures.
Huang Kunming, Party Secretary of Guangdong, held a series of video conferences following the attack, including a special session of the Guangdong Provincial Committee for Building a Safe Guangdong. During these meetings, he instructed officials to focus on the treatment of the injured, incident handling, and overall safety and stability in the province. Huang described the event as causing serious casualties and social impact, noting the deep shock and grief it had caused. He emphasized the need to prevent similar incidents by thoroughly investigating and addressing underlying issues[11].
On November 12, the Party Committee of Zhuhai convened to communicate and study the directives from national and provincial leaders and the requirements of the Provincial Committee for Building a Safe Guangdong. The committee further outlined measures to treat the injured, console families, handle the aftermath, and conduct a city-wide risk assessment to mitigate potential hazards.
On 12 November, Japan's embassy to China warned its nationals about personal security issues in China, advising Japanese people not to speak loudly in public.[6] On the same evening, BBC News journalists were interrupted from live coverage by locals.[12]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Dozens killed in Zhuhai, China, by driver who rammed car into crowd ahead of military expo, police say - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ a b Wong, Foster (12 November 2024). "Driver Kills 35 in China's Deadliest Attack in at Least a Decade". Bloomberg. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
- ^ Dang, Yuanyue (12 November 2024). "35 dead after car attack in Chinese city of Zhuhai, suspect arrested, police say". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ a b Alund, Natalie Neysa. "Driver rams SUV into crowd exercising in Zhuhai, China leaving 35 dead, dozens injured". USA TODAY. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
- ^ Gan, Nectar (12 November 2024). "35 killed after car plows into crowds outside sports center in Chinese city, police say". CNN. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ a b McDonell, Stephen; Mao, Frances (13 November 2024). "Zhuhai: Dozens killed in car rampage through Chinese stadium". BBC. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
- ^ "Driver rams his car into crowd in China, killing 35. Police say he was upset about his divorce". AP News. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ Hawkins, Amy (12 November 2024). "Dozens killed in China after car driven into sports centre". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ "At least 35 killed in China car ramming". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ "习近平对广东珠海市驾车冲撞行人案件作出重要指示". 新华社. 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ "广东召开会议传达学习习近平总书记对珠海市驾车冲撞行人案件作出的重要指示精神：全力以赴做好伤员救治和调查处置工作，举一反三开展问题排查整治". 南方+. 12 November 2024.
- ^ McDonell, Stephen (12 November 2024). "When horror hits China, the first instinct is shut it down". BBC. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
External Links
- Man Kills Dozens in China Car Ramming Attack - New York Times, November 12. 2024.