No sooner had I told the Lattitude volunteers, at their Health and Safety briefing, just what a safe city Kunming is, than news starts filtering though of a gang of masked terrorists bursting into Kunming Train Station this evening and, in an obviously coordinated attack, knifing 29 people to death and injuring 130 others. It came totally out-of-the-blue and seems utterly senseless. Latest news is pointing the finger firmly at "Uighurs" from XinJiang Province, Muslims who claim to be a persecuted minority there. Kunming is a soft target for them and innocent train passengers clearly have no way to protect themselves. The police here shot 4 of the terrorists dead and captured another, but we hear 5 or more are still on the run. There is now an unofficial curfew in the city with businesses (including my school) being "asked" to close down after dark until further notice. All very unnerving.
7 Comments
Andy
2/3/2014 03:25:39 am
Thinking of U all. Terrible news. Take care
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Graham
2/3/2014 07:12:44 am
Good to know you and yours are safe.
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Dad
2/3/2014 09:52:38 am
You'll not be surprised to know that your Mum & dad were glad you were not there...but the poor families that have lost a loved one 7 so "out of the blue" I do not know how anybody can do such things in the name of religion!!
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Lee
2/3/2014 11:03:02 am
Glad that you and your family are safe. Take care!
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Steve and Julie
2/3/2014 01:06:31 pm
So sorry to hear this horrible news but relieved to hear that you and yours are safe Paul. Please know we're thinking for you all.
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Paul (the other one)
3/3/2014 12:40:12 am
Once again someone has a grievance against Government, Authority, another religion etc. but it’s the innocent that have suffered.
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Paul (the one)
5/3/2014 09:07:20 pm
Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers and kind wishes. The remaining terrorists have all been caught now and life returned to normal here quite quickly. I've been very impressed by the LACK of anger and animosity towards Muslims here since the attack - you see many of them selling things or running businesses. Kunming residents have been surprisingly stoic and thoughtful.
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AuthorPaul Hider started this blog to share his rather odd life living in China for over 20 years. Since returning to the UK in 2024, the blog now records his more "normal" lifestyle! Past blog entries
December 2024
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