35 killed after car rams into group of people in China's Zhuhai

At least 35 people were killed and 43 others injured after a car drove into a group of people outside a sports centre in China's southern city of Zhuhai on Nov 11 evening.

The 62-year-old divorced male, drove a car into the crowd. He was trying to commit self-harm with a knife when he was controlled by the police at the scene.

The suspect was sent to a hospital for treatment, according to a statement released by Zhuhai police on Nov 12.

It was not immediately clear whether it was an attack or an accident. Police said investigations continue to ascertain the exact reason behind the incident.

The incident, which occurred on Nov 11 is facing heavy censorship as the Zhuhai Airshow opened on Nov 12, according to media reports.

Police identified the man only by his family name of Fan, consistent with the practice by Chinese authorities. The police statement said the vehicle knocked down “several” pedestrians on Nov 11 evening.

China state media reported that President Xi Jinping urged people to help fellow citizens who received injuries in the hit-and-run case.

Videos showed a firefighter performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a person, as people were told to leave the scene. The videos were shared by news blogger and dissident Li Ying, who is better known on X as Teacher Li.

Dozens of people were lying prone on the running track in the sports centre in the videos. Ying posts daily news based on user submissions.
On Nov 12, searches for the incident on Chinese social media platforms were heavily censored.

A search on Weibo for the sports centre only turned up a few posts, with only a couple referring to the fact something had happened, without pictures or details. Articles by Chinese media about the incident from Monday night were taken down.

Chinese internet censors take extra care to scrub social media ahead of and during major events, such as the meeting of the National People’s Congress, where the government announces its major policy initiatives for the coming year, according to media reports.

The sports centre for the city district of Xiangzhou regularly attracts hundreds of residents, where they can run on the track field, play soccer and social dance. Following the incident, the centre announced it would be closed until further notice.