Car drives into Crowd Outside School in Hunan, China as Multiple Injuries Reported
A car has driven into a crowd of people outside a primary school in the Dingcheng District of Changde city, in China’s Hunan province, leaving multiple individuals injured.
The attack occurred as parents and students were leaving or arriving at Yong’an Primary School, with state media reporting that several students and adults were hurt and required hospitalization.
The driver, operating a white SUV, was apprehended by school staff and parents, who detained him until police arrived. This incident marks the third attack on public crowds in China within a week, raising alarms about public safety and escalating violence.
Additionally, President Xi Jinping has ordered local authorities to enhance security measures and prevent further violence, particularly as the country’s growing number of high-profile attacks has raised fears about public safety and stability as the government has expanded surveillance and urged community workers to act swiftly to manage potential unrest and maintain order.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with one parent, Mr. Zhu, stating that about a dozen people were struck by the vehicle, some seriously. The rapid arrival of an ambulance helped to stabilize the situation, but the attack has left many concerned about the increasing frequency of such incidents. According to Zhu, the school security guard, an elderly man, was knocked down during the confrontation, and several parents had to intervene to stop the vehicle and prevent further harm. Videos from the scene showed children fleeing in panic and bystanders attacking the vehicle in anger, with one man using a snow shovel to strike the car.
This attack is part of a disturbing trend of violent incidents in China, including a knife attack at a vocational school over the weekend that left eight dead and 17 wounded, as well as a car assault that killed at least 35 people in southern China earlier this month. These attacks are raising concerns about a growing phenomenon in which individuals, often acting out of personal grievances, lash out at society through indiscriminate violence. In 2024 alone, police have reported 19 such incidents, resulting in 63 deaths and 166 injuries, a significant increase compared to previous years.
Experts suggest that the recent wave of violence is a reflection of widespread societal frustrations, fueled by factors like economic slowdown, high youth unemployment, and an ongoing property crisis. These grievances may be driving some individuals to extreme actions, as many people face an uncertain future. In response, President Xi Jinping has ordered local authorities to enhance security measures and prevent further violence, particularly as the country’s growing number of high-profile attacks has raised
