China: Four injured in the attack of a man with a knife in a hospital in Shanghai

Four people were injured today by a knife-wielding attacker at a major hospital in Shanghai, the second such incident in the Chinese city since the lifting of the lockdown in early June.

Police rushed to Ruizin Hospital this morning after receiving calls about an assault there.

Videos posted on social media showed scenes of chaos unfolding in the hospital as patients tried to get out of the building, while doctors ran for safety along with their patients, some of whom were in wheelchairs or gurneys.

Traces of blood were visible on the marble surface of a staircase.

“It’s absolutely shocking,” said a Shanghai resident who arrived at the hospital shortly after the attack. “It’s disappointing. What has happened to this society?” he asked.

At the hospital, police found a man armed with a knife holding some patients hostage on the seventh floor of the outpatient department. When the attacker threatened to harm the hostages, the police opened fire on him and arrested him.

None of the injured are in critical condition, and an investigation into the incident has been launched, police said.

Hospitals are a hotbed of discontent in China, as citizens have to wait hours to see a doctor, incidents of illegal exchange of appointments for money are common, and corruption can skyrocket the cost of treatment.

Often there are incidents of attacks by patients against doctors.