7 killed in knife attack at Chinese military clinic, staff member detained

BEIJING, China – Six nurses and a janitor were killed Thursday in a knife attack blamed on another employee at a military hospital and resort in a northeastern coastal town favoured by the country’s Communist Party elite, police said.

A 27-year-old employee was detained following the early morning attack at Beidaihe Sanatorium in the seaside town of Beidaihe, about 300 kilometres (190 miles) east of Beijing, police said. A preliminary investigation showed no conflict between the employee and colleagues, and the suspect told investigators he had a history of mental problems, police said in a statement.

The attacks took place in the dormitory for female staff at the facility, a hospital and resort for retired military officials. One person also was injured, police said.

The location of the attack was likely to draw particular scrutiny from the Chinese public because Beidaihe is home to numerous guesthouses used by China’s leaders during the summer to vacation and hold informal meetings on government work.