In Zhuhai, southern China, a tragic car attack resulted in 35 fatalities and 43 injuries, prompting public mourning and outrage over governmental transparency. Authorities quickly removed tributes and censored discussions about the incident, which occurred during an airshow. Local residents expressed frustration over the slow official response and ongoing mental health issues, while state media downplayed the attack’s significance, focusing instead on other events. Floral tributes reflected public grief and calls for justice amidst increasing censorship.
Zhuhai Tragedy: A Community in Mourning
In the wake of a devastating incident in Zhuhai, southern China, authorities have swiftly removed floral tributes, candles, and offerings of Chinese alcohol that emerged following the country’s deadliest attack in a decade. The incident, which has raised serious concerns about governmental transparency, occurred when a man, reportedly distressed over his divorce, drove into a crowd, resulting in the tragic deaths of 35 individuals and injuries to 43 others who were exercising near a local sports venue.
Public Outrage and Censorship
Following the attack, which the government officially reported only a day later, outrage erupted among Chinese netizens. Many expressed frustration over the government’s slow response and highlighted ongoing mental health issues in a society that has experienced similar violent incidents recently. Posts addressing these concerns were quickly erased by state censors, reflecting ongoing restrictions on public discourse.
“The authorities have not released any information,” shared Zheng, a 50-year-old local who paid his respects at the site. “Some colleagues mentioned it, but I couldn’t comprehend it until it was confirmed.” On Wednesday, a group of motorcycle delivery workers continuously laid flowers at the site, only to have each bouquet swiftly removed by security personnel, often before they could even reach the ground.
Florist Qiu noted the unusual demand for flowers, stating, “Many orders were made last night for flowers to be delivered to the stadium. Typically, we close at 10 PM, but because of this tragic event, we worked until 1 AM.” Messages of condolence adorned the floral arrangements, with sentiments like, “May there be no bullies in heaven. Good will triumph over evil. Rest in peace.”
This tragic car-ramming incident occurred during a week when Zhuhai is hosting an airshow, where a Chinese stealth fighter jet is set to be unveiled. A similar attack occurred during the 2008 airshow, when a truck driver killed four people and injured 20 after a road dispute.
State media, including CCTV, notably omitted coverage of the attack in their news broadcasts, focusing instead on President Xi Jinping’s trip to Peru for an APEC summit. The city’s mention was limited to the ongoing airshow, and discussions surrounding the attack were censored across various platforms, including the popular social network Weibo.
A Tuesday evening article from a local government-affiliated media outlet acknowledged the incident’s significance yet refrained from discussing the toll or specific details of the attack.