At least nine people were killed and 46 others were injured after a driver mowed down pedestrians in Hengdong County, central China's Hunan Province, on Wednesday night, local officials confirmed.
The male driver, driving a red SUV, rammed into pedestrians in a busy public square at around 7:35 p.m local time.
The 54-year-old driver, identified by his surname Yang, has been detained.
According to officials, the motive behind the incident is yet to be ascertained, but the man has a criminal record.
The injured, including three people in critical condition, have been hospitalized.
An investigation is underway.
