Published: November 12, 2024 12:07 pm
Author: RT
Over 40 people were also wounded in the incident in the southern city of Zhuhai, police have said, confirming a suspect is in custody
At least 35 people have been killed and dozens more injured after a car rammed into a large group of pedestrians in Guangdong province in southern China, police have said.
The number of wounded in the incident on Monday evening is estimated at 43, officials said on Tuesday.
The police said earlier that a vehicle had “hit multiple pedestrians and then fled the scene” at the Zhuhai Sports Center. According to the statement, the driver of the car was later detained and placed in custody. The suspect had been identified as a 62-year-old man. His motives currently remain unclear.
The dozens of pedestrians injured in the incident included senior citizens and children, local media said. According to reports, surviving victims were sent to four local hospitals, one of them admitting more than 20 patients.
Beijing-based outlet Caixin reported that an SUV had hit members of several fitness walking groups at the outdoor track around the sports center.
Video footage from the scene has captured scores of wounded people, many of whom are wearing sports gear, lying on the tracks. According to Reuters, which verified the authenticity of the clip, the witnesses are heard shouting “terrorist!” as the victims are being filmed being placed into emergency vehicles.
The Zhuhai Sports Center announced that it will be shutting down until further notice following the incident.
The ramming incident took place a day before the opening of the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition 2024 – the biggest in the country, which Zhuhai hosts between November 12 and 17.
