On the evening of September 2, a tragic incident occurred in the Haizhu District of Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, just on the eve of the grand military parade in Beijing. A car crashed into a crowd at the north gate of Zhuangtou Park on Xin’nan Road, causing multiple casualties and a scene of horror that witnesses described as terrifying.
According to the official statement from the Guangzhou police, at 8:25 p.m. on September 2, a traffic accident occurred at the north gate of Zhuangtou Park on Xin’nan Road, Haizhu District, injuring six people. The driver, a 40-year-old man surnamed Ye, was immediately apprehended. Fatigue was cited as the cause of the accident, with drunk driving being ruled out as a suspicion.
The official report downplayed the severity of the incident, failing to mention any fatalities or the fact that a baby was among those struck. Mr. Li, an eyewitness at the scene, recounted to a reporter that he was riding his electric bike past the area when the car “plowed through the crowd without stopping.”
Li admitted feeling scared afterward and had refrained from riding his electric bike quickly since the incident. When contacted by a reporter, he mentioned he was drinking alcohol to calm his nerves, fearing he wouldn’t be able to sleep that night otherwise.
He disclosed that there were seven or eight people hit by the car, including a two-year-old child with multiple injuries on the face. A woman lay motionless on the ground, likely the child’s mother. He said that by the time he took photos, the ambulance had already taken the child away.
Many suspect the incident was an act of social retaliation, though it remains unconfirmed, and the authorities have not provided further information. The area has since been cordoned off by the police in the aftermath.
The timing of the incident, on the eve of the CCP’s grand military parade on September 3, has heightened public attention. Videos related to the incident have been removed from social media, and reports on Sohu, a mainland Chinese media outlet, have also been taken down.
This shocking event has sparked public condemnation. One netizen expressed, “As a resident of Guangzhou, I strongly condemn this act of terrorism. If you have the guts, go crash into government buildings. Targeting innocent civilians is just despicable.” Another netizen commented, “Seek revenge against the Party if you must. Innocent civilians should not be harmed.” There were also discussions on the worsening job environment, pressure on the lower class, and the potential rise of extreme events turning into public safety concerns.
“Amidst these chaotic times, behold the grand parade!”