Divorce Dispute Drives Man to Kill 35, Injure 40 in Shocking Car Attack
A shocking incident unfolded in Zhuhai, southern China, on Monday, November 11, when a 62-year-old man, identified only as Fan, drove into a crowd of people exercising at a sports complex. The horrific act left 35 people dead and 43 others injured, plunging the city into mourning and prompting national reflection. Fan, now hospitalized and under strict police surveillance, is at the center of this unfolding investigation.
What Triggered the Zhuhai Catastrophe?
Initial investigations suggest Fan acted out of deep frustration related to an ongoing divorce, specifically conflicts over asset division, according to reports from abcNEWS. Authorities found him in his vehicle with self-inflicted knife wounds, adding a layer of complexity to the case. Graphic images and videos depicting the aftermath circulated widely on Chinese social media, capturing scenes of injured individuals sprawled across the ground and the car leaving the area. These visuals were quickly censored by authorities.
The city’s response was swift, as hundreds of emergency responders from Zhuhai and neighboring Guangdong province, alongside over 300 healthcare workers from five hospitals, raced to assist and treat the injured. Medical teams worked relentlessly throughout the day to provide care for the victims.
Mourning and Remembrance
By Tuesday evening, the scene of the tragedy had transformed into a solemn site of mourning. Candles and flowers lined the area as people gathered to honor the lives lost. About 30 individuals, including delivery drivers, paid their respects by placing floral tributes at the sports complex’s entrance, turning it into a makeshift memorial of grief and remembrance.
President Xi’s Call for Justice and Action
Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the nation on Tuesday evening, November 12, emphasizing that the perpetrator would be “punished strictly according to the law.” He also urged local governments to heighten preventive measures, manage potential risks, and address social conflicts proactively to prevent similar incidents.
This tragic event cast a shadow over Zhuhai’s ongoing aviation exhibition by the People’s Liberation Army, which opened on the same day, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance amidst public gatherings.
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Divorce Dispute Drives Man to Kill 35, Injure 40 in Shocking Car Attack