Six people, including three children, were recently killed in a knife attack in China’s southeastern Guangdong province.
What happened: On Monday, a 25-year-old man surnamed surnamed Wu entered a kindergarten in Lianjiang county at about 7:40 a.m. local time as children were being dropped off for summer classes. Wu, who lives in the same county, went on a stabbing spree, killing at least three children, two parents and one teacher.
A graphic video circulating online shows bodies on the ground outside the school and police officers and ambulances surrounding the site.
Arrest and investigation: Wu was arrested at around 8 a.m. local time, and an investigation is currently underway. While his motive is currently unknown, police deemed the attack as “an intentional assault.”
Mass knife attacks: There has been a string of knife attacks in China over the past few years, raising nationwide concern about the safety of children at school.
In August 2022, three people were killed and six others were injured in a stabbing spree at a kindergarten in Jiangxi province. In April 2021, two children were killed and 16 others were wounded in another knife attack in southern China. Back in 2020, a school security guard wielding a knife wounded 37 students and two adults at an elementary school in southern China.
Calls for action: While China prohibits private gun ownership, most mass attacks in the country are carried out with knives, homemade explosives or gasoline bombs. The attacks in schools have prompted calls for research into the root causes of the attacks and have led authorities to step up security.
Experts point to the COVID-19 pandemic as a factor behind the increase in mental health issues in China. The perpetrators are often in deep grievances with feelings of anger, resentment and loss and are looking to exact revenge on society.
