A man drove his vehicle into a crowd at a sports center in the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai on November 11, 2024, resulting in 35 deaths and serious injuries to 43 other people, as reported by local law enforcement.

The incident took place at the Zhuhai Sports Centre during morning exercise sessions. Local police identified the perpetrator as a 62-year-old man with the last name “Fan” who deliberately steered his SUV into a large assembly of people exercising on the track.

The suspect began stabbing himself with a knife when police officers attempted to apprehend him. He lost consciousness after slashing his throat and is now under emergency medical care, making him currently unavailable for police questioning, according to an official statement.

Initial investigations suggest that Fan’s act was motivated by a deep-seated dissatisfaction with his divorce settlement. Local authorities have shared that Fan recently went through a bitter divorce, feeling wronged by the allocation of assets. This sense of unfairness reportedly led to a buildup of frustration and resentment.

Some of the less severely injured victims were treated at the Shang Chong Hospital emergency clinic in Zhuhai, most of whom were discharged after receiving treatment. Meanwhile, the Zhuhai People’s Hospital confirmed it had also admitted casualties, although it did not disclose the precise number.

The violent incident took place shortly before the city was about to host China’s largest bi-annual air show, an event that has been held in Zhuhai since 1996. This significant gathering draws over 1,000 firms from around 50 countries, potentially explaining why authorities waited a day before publicizing the incident and censored social media reports.

Zhuhai, situated in China’s Guangdong province, is a major port city and one of the country’s special economic zones. The sports center, where the tragedy took place, is a popular spot for community gatherings and early morning exercise sessions.