At least 35 people died and 43 were injured after a 62-year-old man caused a car accident on Monday night, the person responsible fled in front of a sports center in the Chinese city of Zhuhai, in the southern province of Canton.
The incident occurred at 7:48 p.m. local time (11:48 GMT), when the suspect, identified as Fan according to a statement published today by the Police, rammed a group of pedestrians with a small car in the vicinity of the sports center of the Xiangzhou district.
The alleged aggressor was taken to a medical center, where he remains unconscious and under police custody.
At the moment, his condition has prevented him from being questioned, the Police said.
As for the injured, their lives are not in danger, according to the statement.
The reason for the attack
Based on the first investigations, which included the review of security camera recordings, interviews with witnesses and analysis of electronic evidence, the authorities indicated that the attack could have been motivated by the detainee’s “dissatisfaction” regarding the division of assets after her recent divorce.
The Police have initiated criminal proceedings against Fan under the accusation of using dangerous methods to threaten the safety of the community.
The attack has caused commotion in China, whose president, Xi Jinping, urged this Tuesday “to make all possible efforts to care for the injured” and demanded that the guilty party be “punished in accordance with the law,” according to the agency. Xinhua official.
“Revenge against society” attacks
In the last year, the number of indiscriminate attacks against pedestrians has multiplied in the Asian country, usually carried out by attackers with a knife, although attacks against crowds have been recorded.
Last year, a collision with a crowd of pedestrians also in the province of Canton left six dead and 29 injured.
The local press and Internet users usually categorize these episodes as “revenge against society” as they are attacks in which the perpetrator acts against innocent people motivated by frustration due to legal, sentimental or commercial disputes.
With information from EFE.
Follow information about the world in our international section
Do you use Facebook more? Leave us a like to be informed