Police in China have arrested a 55-year-old man after four US university tutors were stabbed by an assailant at a public park in a rare attack on foreigners.
The Iowa Cornell College instructors are in hospital after a “serious incident” during a daytime visit to the park in the northern province of Jilin, a college statement said.
Iowa Representative Adam Zabner said his brother, David, was one of the four instructors injured in the incident, which he described as a stabbing.
China’s foreign ministry says that none of the injured are in a life-threatening condition.
Police said an assailant with the surname Cui clashed with one of the Americans and then stabbed the person. He went on to injure three other US visitors and a Chinese tourist who tried to come to their rescue.
Mr Zabner said the group of instructors had been visiting a local temple on Monday when they were attacked by a man with a knife.
He said his brother had been stabbed in the arm at Beishan Park in Jilin city and was recovering in hospital.
“He has not yet been released this morning but he’s doing ok,” he told CBS News.
Cornell College said the four instructors had been teaching “as part of a partnership with a university in China”. The group had been accompanied by a member of Beihua University at the time of their visit to the park on Monday.
China’s foreign ministry said the injured were immediately rushed to hospital where they received treatment.
Spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters that police believe the attack was a random incident, but an investigation is ongoing.
“This was an isolated incident and the investigation continues,” he said.
“China is widely considered one of the safest countries in the world and China will continue to take relevant measures to ensure that foreigners are safe in the country.”
“We believe this will not damage relations with other countries,” he added.
A US State Department spokesperson had earlier said that they were aware of reports of a stabbing incident in Jilin, but could not provide more information.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that she was in contact with the department about the “horrifying” attack.
“Please pray for their full recovery, safe return, and their families here at home,” she wrote.
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