Thu Nov 14 03:30:06 UTC 2024: ## China Censors Information After Deadly Car Attack in Zhuhai
**Zhuhai, China** – A man deliberately rammed his car into a crowd of pedestrians exercising near a sports center in Zhuhai, China, on Monday night, resulting in at least 35 deaths and numerous injuries.
While initial social media reports shared graphic images and videos of the aftermath, these were swiftly deleted by Chinese authorities. It took nearly 24 hours for officials to officially confirm the death toll, with state media reporting the tragic incident shortly after 6:30 pm on Tuesday.
The delay in releasing information and the censorship of social media posts have drawn criticism, highlighting China’s long history of controlling the flow of news, particularly when it involves sensitive events.
The incident occurred on the eve of China’s largest airshow, which was being heavily promoted by the state media. Despite the gravity of the attack, state-controlled newspapers minimized coverage of the incident, focusing instead on the airshow and President Xi Jinping’s instructions to treat the injured and punish the perpetrator.
Residents attempted to create a memorial at the scene, placing flowers and candles, but these were quickly removed by cleaning staff, who claimed they were acting under orders.
The incident has drawn parallels to past events where censorship and delays in information dissemination have hindered response efforts. These include the 2008 contaminated milk scandal, the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, and the initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This latest incident highlights the ongoing challenges of navigating the complex and heavily controlled information landscape in China, where censorship continues to be a major concern.
First Piper 