In a tragic incident on Monday, at least 35 people were killed and 43 others injured after a 62-year-old man drove his car into a crowd of people exercising at a sports center in Zhuhai, southern China. The incident occurred just one day before the Zhuhai Airshow, organized by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), raising further alarm due to its proximity to a high-profile event.

The driver, identified by his family name Fan, was promptly detained by authorities, though it remains unclear whether this was an intentional attack or a tragic accident. The police have yet to release further details on the motive.

Videos circulating on social media showed the chaotic aftermath, with emergency responders performing CPR on victims, and injured individuals receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. One video, shared by dissident news blogger Li Ying, showed a woman on the track saying, “My foot is broken,” as others lay injured on the ground.

The incident occurred at Xiangzhou sports center, a popular location for locals to run, play sports, and engage in social dancing. The center, which regularly attracts hundreds of residents, has now been closed indefinitely following the attack.

This attack adds to a disturbing pattern of random assaults in China, including a knife attack on schoolchildren in Beijing last month and a deadly knife attack in a Shanghai supermarket in September. While Chinese authorities are still investigating, the lack of media coverage and the removal of articles from Chinese platforms suggest heightened sensitivity surrounding the incident, particularly with the timing so close to a major military airshow.

As the city grapples with the aftermath, the tragic loss of life in Zhuhai has raised questions about safety and security measures in public spaces across China.