• Car ploughs into crowd outside primary school in China
• Details on the number of casualties remain unclear
• This is the third attack on a public crowd in China within a week
• Authorities are linking these attacks to a troubling trend of individuals lashing out at strangers due to personal grievances

Car ploughs into crowd outside primary school in China 

A car drove into a crowd outside Yong’an Primary School in China’s southern Hunan province, leaving several students and adults injured, according to state media. Details on the number of casualties remain unclear, but those injured have been taken to the hospital.  

The vehicle, identified as a white SUV, was intercepted by parents and school security staff before the driver was handed over to the police.  

Videos from the scene shared online showed children fleeing in panic, with some lying injured on the ground. In one clip, an angry bystander used a snow shovel to strike the SUV before others surrounded the driver, attacking him with sticks.  

This is the third attack on a public crowd in China within a week, sparking concern over public safety. Earlier incidents include a knife attack at a vocational school on Saturday that killed eight people and a deadly car attack on November 12 that left 35 dead.  

Authorities are linking these attacks to a troubling trend of individuals lashing out at strangers due to personal grievances, often referred to as “revenge on society.” Rising unemployment, a struggling economy, and property market woes have been cited as contributing to growing social discontent.  

President Xi Jinping has urged officials to prioritise public safety and prevent such violent incidents. Meanwhile, surveillance measures and community patrols are being expanded to address the rising concerns over security.  

This year has seen a sharp increase in random violence, with 19 major attacks reported, leaving 63 dead and 166 injured—a significant rise compared to 2023. Officials worry that such a high number of casualties in a single year could raise questions about China’s safety record, further alarming people and even discouraging tourism.