A driver rammed his vehicle into a crowd of people exercising at a sports center in the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai on Monday, November 11, 2024, killing 35 people and severely injuring 43 others, local police reported.
The attack occurred at the Zhuhai Sports Centre, where residents participated in morning exercise activities. According to local authorities, a 62-year-old driver, surname of “Fan,” intentionally drove his SUV into a large group of people who were exercising around the track.
When officers prevented the suspect from fleeing, he started stabbing himself with a knife and lost consciousness after cutting his throat. He is currently receiving emergency medical treatment and is unable to be questioned, according to the police statement.
Preliminary investigations indicate that Fan’s actions were driven by profound dissatisfaction with his divorce property settlement. According to local authorities, Fan had recently undergone a contentious divorce, during which he felt aggrieved by the division of assets. This perceived injustice reportedly led to escalating frustration and resentment.
A staff member at the Shang Chong Hospital emergency clinic in Zhuhai reported that they treated some individuals with minor injuries, most of whom left after receiving care. Zhuhai People’s Hospital confirmed it had also received injured individuals but did not specify the exact number of casualties.
The attack occurred just prior to China’s largest bi-annual air show, an event Zhuhai has hosted since 1996. This major event attracts over 1,000 companies from nearly 50 nations to the city, which may explain why authorities delayed reporting the incident for a day.
Zhuhai, located in Guangdong province, is one of China’s special economic zones and a major port city. The sports center where the incident occurred is popular for community activities and morning exercises.
