An attack at a kindergarten in Lianjiang, located in Guangdong Province in southeast China, left at least six people dead and one injured as reported by local media on Monday.
According to The Paper, residents described a man approaching the nursery with a knife, assaulting a child and two adults at the entrance before entering the facility.
Officials identified a 25-year-old man with the surname Wu as the suspect. Local authorities described the incident as a deliberate attack. The time of the incident was 7:40 p.m. on Monday, which corresponds to 23:40 GMT on Sunday, and the suspect was taken into custody. The victims’ ages and identities have not been fully disclosed by authorities, but reports indicate that children were among the dead. Some accounts list the victims as a teacher, two parents, and three children.
Similar incidents in recent years
Along with this event, there have been several other attacks on kindergartens and schools in recent years that resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. For example, a similar incident in Jiangxi Province last August left three dead and six wounded. In April 2021, another attack at a kindergarten in the southern Guangxi region killed two people and injured 16 others.
China’s Ministry of Education issued a circular in 2019 urging schools nationwide to bolster security measures to prevent potential attackers from gaining access to facilities. In Chinese media coverage, such events are frequently described as acts perceived as societal grievances or revenge, and they are sometimes framed as warnings about safety gaps in public spaces.
Experts and officials emphasize the need for comprehensive safety protocols, including controlled access points, trained staff, and robust response plans. Advocates argue that improving prevention and rapid response can reduce casualties and reassure families and communities. Ongoing discussions stress the importance of balancing security with a supportive, non-stigmatizing environment for students and teachers alike.