June 7, 2013 – Xiamen bus fire

On this day in 2013 tragedy struck in Xiamen, Fujian province, China when an angry Chinese citizen decided to take his own life in a mass-murder suicide using a local city bus, the Xiamen BRT, as his device to carry out his plan during the evening rush hour. In the attack carried out by Chen Shuizong 47 people were killed and 34 more were injured. The fire had quickly spread to the gas tank, resulting in a massive explosion. Investigations determined the fire broke out in the rear of the bus at 6:22 p.m. local time and was extinguished at 6:50 p.m. Despite the bus running on diesel traces of gasoline were found on the bus, leading investigators to believe that arson was at play.
Police identified Shuizong as the suspect in what is one of China’s greatest automotive related mass-murders the following day after finding a suicide note in his home. Family members also stated that he had been unhappy with government officials who refused to correct an error in his identification documents that led to him being denied social security benefits.