Vehicle Strikes Pedestrians Near Primary School in Beijing
On Thursday afternoon, a vehicle collided with pedestrians near a primary school in the Miyun district of Beijing, leaving multiple people seriously injured. The incident, captured in videos shared online, shows young victims lying motionless on the street while bystanders and medical personnel tend to them.
Details of the Incident
The crash took place near the intersection of Yucai Road and Dongmen Street, adjacent to Beijing's No. 1 Primary School in Miyun, a school catering to children aged 6 to 12. Authorities confirmed that the driver, a 35-year-old man surnamed Han, lost control due to an improper driving operation, resulting in the collision.
Footage shows a gray SUV lodged against a tree, surrounded by scattered clothing and injured pedestrians receiving aid. Emergency responders quickly transported the victims to nearby hospitals, although official reports have yet to provide precise numbers or conditions of those hurt.
Following the accident, police cordoned off the area and began an investigation. Local residents gathered at the scene, with eyewitnesses describing a somber atmosphere as emergency crews worked to clear debris and provide assistance.
Witness Accounts
A 19-year-old resident named Cheng recounted arriving at the location hours after the crash. "By the time I got there, the victims had already been taken away and the vehicle was gone," he said. Cheng noted the presence of numerous emergency vehicles and onlookers before police requested journalists to leave the site.
Rising Concerns Over Public Safety Amid Recent Attacks
This unfortunate event adds to a growing list of mass casualty incidents in China involving vehicles and violent attacks.
- In late 2024, a man drove into crowds outside a primary school in Hunan province, injuring 30 people. When his vehicle broke down, he continued to attack bystanders with a weapon.
- A separate deadly car rampage in Zhuhai resulted in 35 deaths and dozens of injuries, marking one of the deadliest attacks in a decade.
- Knife attacks and other violent acts have also heightened public anxiety and spotlighted concerns about social unrest amid economic challenges.
Experts suggest these incidents may be linked to rising social tensions fueled by economic slowdown and growing disparities across Chinese society.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities continue to investigate the recent Beijing collision to determine the full circumstances. Meanwhile, families and local communities grapple with the impact of the tragedy near a bustling school zone.
