One of China’s deadliest attacks in decades continues spate of violence targeting members of the public at random.

A car attack in southern China’s Zhuhai city has left at least 35 dead and as many as 43 injured, including children and elderly, marking it as one of China’s deadliest acts of public violence in decades.

The incident occurred at 7:48 p.m. on Monday when a 62-year-old man, identified as Mr. Fan, drove ‘a small SUV’ through the gates of the Zhuhai Sports Centre, a popular venue with locals, and ran down groups of people exercising outside on the stadium’s internal roads. [See “Dozens Killed in Car Rampage Through Chinese Stadium“].

Witnesses described the attack as deliberate, with one stating that the vehicle drove in a loop, hitting people across the running track. The driver attempted to flee afterwards.

Authorities say they found Mr. Fan in his vehicle with self-inflicted injuries and report he is currently in a coma, rendering interrogation impossible at the current time. Mr. Fan is believed to have been upset over his divorce settlement, police said. [See “At Least 35 Dead, Dozens Wounded After Car Rams Into Crowd in Chinese City“].

The incident took place amid heightened security for the country’s premier aviation exhibition by the People’s Liberation Army, an event hosted in Zhuhai every year. Censorship regarding news of the attack was swiftly implemented.

Nevertheless, the latest act of violence has triggered national outrage, with President Xi Jinping promising “strict punishment” for the perpetrator and calling on local governments “to strengthen prevention and control of risks at the source, strictly prevent extreme cases from occurring, and to resolve conflicts and disputes in a timely manner.” [See “Driver Rams His Car Into Crowd in China, Killing 35. Police Say He Was Upset About His Divorce“].

Violent crime is generally rare in China due to strict security measures and gun laws, but the Zhuhai car ramming adds to a series of violent incidents in the past year, including stabbings and attacks in various locations, highlighting serious issues related to public safety, mental health, and government responses to violence in China.

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