On Monday, November 11, 2024, a man drove his SUV into a group of exercisers at a sports center in Zhuhai, a city in southern China. The incident resulted in the tragic loss of 35 lives and severe injuries to 43 others, as per the local police report.
The devastating incident unfolded at the Zhuhai Sports Centre, where locals were engaged in their morning fitness routines. The driver, identified as a 62-year-old man with the last name “Fan,” intentionally targeted the crowd of people utilizing the track for exercise, stated local law enforcement.
After the attack, when law enforcement officials attempted to apprehend Fan, he began stabbing himself with a knife, eventually losing consciousness due to a self-inflicted wound to his throat. Currently, he is undergoing emergency medical treatment and is not in a position to be interrogated, according to the police.
Initial investigations suggest that the motive behind Fan’s violent act stems from his deep dissatisfaction with the property settlement of his recent divorce. Local authorities revealed that Fan harbored resentment over the perceived unfair division of assets during his contentious divorce, which apparently triggered his escalating frustration and subsequent violent act.
A representative from the Shang Chong Hospital emergency clinic in Zhuhai reported receiving some of the injured persons, who sustained minor injuries and were discharged after treatment. The Zhuhai People’s Hospital also treated victims of the incident, although the exact number of patients has not been disclosed.
The violent act took place just before the commencement of China’s largest bi-annual air show, which Zhuhai has been hosting since 1996. This significant event draws over 1,000 businesses from nearly 50 countries to the city. This may have contributed to the authorities’ decision to delay the announcement of the incident by a day.
As one of China’s special economic zones and a major port city located in the Guangdong province, Zhuhai is known for its sports center. This venue, the scene of the horrific incident, is a popular spot for community activities and morning exercises.
