This archive report was first published on 14 July 2020.
On July 7, 2020, a devastating incident occurred in Anshun, Guizhou province, China, when a bus driver, surnamed Zhang, deliberately crashed his vehicle into a reservoir, resulting in the loss of 21 lives.
According to local police, Zhang had discovered that his rented public house had been demolished just hours before the incident. The house had been marked for demolition as part of a 'shantytown reconstruction project,' and Zhang had been offered $10,360 in compensation, but he had not claimed it.
State media reported that Zhang had been given the rental property when he worked at a diesel engine factory in Anshun's Xixiu district. However, he had not lived there for some time and had applied for new housing, but was turned down.
On the day of the crash, Zhang found out that the house had been demolished, leaving him homeless. In a desperate attempt to get noticed, he committed an extreme criminal act, crashing the bus into the reservoir.
Police investigation revealed that Zhang had been drinking baijiu, a strong Chinese alcohol, before the crash. He had also sent a voice message to his girlfriend expressing 'world-weary' feelings just hours before the incident.
Forced demolitions of housing to provide space for new development is a common occurrence in China, especially for people living in less developed or rural areas. The incident highlights the struggles faced by residents who are left homeless and unable to afford expensive new housing.
