In brief
The collision occurred during a time of heightened security due to a nearby airshow, raising concerns about public safety in the region, which has seen a rise in violent incidents recently.
A shocking incident unfolded on Monday evening in the Chinese city of Zhuhai, where a car veered into a crowded area outside the Zhuhai Sports Centre, resulting in multiple injuries. According to police reports, the 62-year-old male driver, identified by his surname Fan, has been taken into custody following the event.Local media suggest that around 20 individuals, many of whom were out for their evening walk, were injured in the chaos and have been transported to nearby hospitals. Eyewitness footage, despite being heavily monitored and removed from major Chinese social platforms, reveals distressing scenes of injured individuals lying on the ground, some appearing unconscious as paramedics attended to them.An observer known as Mr. Chen recounted that several groups were gathered for their regular fitness routines around the stadium when the tragedy struck. "We had just finished our third lap when a car suddenly sped towards us," he remarked, describing the panic that ensued as the vehicle navigated through the crowd. Another eyewitness indicated that injuries were sustained all around the running track: "People were affected in every direction - east, south, west, and north."The incident has raised various questions, particularly regarding its correlation with the major Zhuhai Airshow set to commence just 40 kilometers away the following day. The airshow is expected to draw significant attention, featuring China's latest military aircraft, and top Russian defense officials are among the attendees.In light of the airshow, certain entrances and exits of the sports center have been temporarily closed to maintain security measures, as stated by center management. The backdrop of rising violent incidents across China in recent months—including a tragic stabbing spree in Shanghai—adds to the urgency of evaluating public safety protocols in the region during large events.
