In China’s southeastern Guangdong province, a tragic incident occurred at a kindergarten, resulting in the death of six people, including three children.
Local police have reported the arrest of a 25-year-old man named Wu in Lianjiang town in connection with the incident. According to AFP, the other victims include a teacher and two parents, while one person has been injured. The police have described the incident as an “intentional assault” but have not provided further information regarding a possible motive.
The attack took place on Monday morning at around 7:40 local time, as parents were dropping off their children for summer classes. The perpetrator was apprehended at 8:00 am. The vicinity surrounding the kindergarten has been sealed off, according to a storeowner working nearby.
Videos of the attack have circulated on Chinese social media, provoking shock and outrage. Unfortunately, this incident aligns with a distressing trend in China, where knife attacks have become increasingly common. Despite firearms being banned, the country has witnessed numerous knife-related assaults, including one case where a chemical spray was used to harm a classroom of 50 children.
The BBC has documented at least 17 knife attacks in schools, colleges, and universities since 2010, with ten occurring between 2018 and 2023. In some instances, assailants have targeted educational institutions, resulting in fatalities and injuries.
Experts have identified potential reasons for the rise in mass stabbings in China, including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Lengthy and strict lockdown measures may have contributed to heightened feelings of anger, resentment, and social deprivation due to job losses, financial setbacks, and strained relationships. Moreover, high stress levels and societal expectations on young men, exacerbated by high youth unemployment rates and wealth disparities, have been cited as additional factors.
Since 2010, Chinese authorities have been increasing security measures around schools, emphasizing the need to combat criminal activities and ensure the safety of students and teachers. Following the April 2021 attack, the Ministry of Education mandated emergency evacuation drills in schools.
In light of concerns about copycat incidents, Beijing has restricted state media from disclosing full details of the recent kindergarten attack.
Source – 3news.com
