Driver Intentionally Kills 35, Injures 43 in Car-Ramming Incident at Chinese Sports Center

In a tragic incident late Monday, a driver deliberately plowed his car into a crowd of people exercising at a sports center in Zhuhai, southern China, killing 35 and injuring 43 others, according to police reports. The suspect, a 62-year-old man identified only by his surname, Fan, was detained at the scene. The horrific event unfolded on the eve of Zhuhai’s annual premier aviation exhibition hosted by the People’s Liberation Army, drawing widespread attention and shock.

The impact led to chaos, with four local hospitals treating over 20 of the injured, as reported by state media. Videos shared by dissident news blogger Li Ying on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) depicted the aftermath, showing dozens of people lying on the track, with emergency responders performing CPR on some. In one clip, a woman was heard saying, “My foot is broken.”

No motive has been released, with police confirming that investigations are ongoing.

Following the attack, searches related to the incident were heavily censored on Chinese social media. Posts about the sports center on Weibo offered limited details, and several articles initially published by Chinese media on Monday night were subsequently removed. Chinese authorities are known to increase social media censorship ahead of major national events, such as the National People’s Congress.

The sports center in Zhuhai’s Xiangzhou district, a popular venue for jogging, soccer, and social activities, has since announced its closure until further notice.

China has seen similar violent attacks in recent months, often targeting random individuals. In October, a 50-year-old man attacked children at a Beijing school, injuring five, while in September, three people were killed in a knife attack at a Shanghai supermarket.