HONG KONG, CHINA – The city of Yixing in eastern China was thrust into chaos on Saturday evening following a devastating knife attack that left eight dead and 17 injured. The incident marks a painful moment for a nation grappling with its deadliest mass killing in nearly ten years, as confirmed by local law enforcement.
Investigations are underway by the Yixing Public Security Bureau to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack and to provide aid to the wounded. A 21-year-old former student, known by the surname Xu, was apprehended at the scene. Xu, a past student of Wuxi Vocational Institute of Arts and Technology, reportedly unleashed the attack out of sheer frustration, according to police reports.
Xu’s discontent arose after failing to secure his graduation certificate and facing dissatisfaction with his internship pay. In police custody, Xu admitted to his actions, offering a forthright confession.
Online, a disturbing video surfaced showing the aftermath, with victims sprawled on the ground, their clothes stained with blood. However, Chinese censors acted swiftly, removing the incident from trending on Weibo, the country’s equivalent of X, within minutes of the police announcement.
The public’s response was immediate and emotional, with many questioning the suppression of information. “It’s horrifying. Suppressing the topic won’t change the tragedy,” commented one user, echoing the collective sentiment of disbelief and frustration.
This attack is the latest in a series of violent occurrences across China, set against a backdrop of economic challenges. The country anticipates a record number of university graduates in the coming years, but faces a daunting youth unemployment rate, which peaked at 21.3% before being recalibrated by authorities in 2024.
Earlier this week, the city of Zhuhai experienced a horrific event when a man drove into a crowd, killing 35 and injuring 43, marking the most lethal mass killing in nearly a decade. These incidents have sparked discussions on the mental health crisis and societal pressures in China as economic growth slows.
Other recent attacks, such as the Shanghai supermarket stabbing and the murder of a young Japanese boy in Shenzhen, continue to raise alarms about public safety and the underlying tensions within the society.