Bus arsonist has no excuse
Updated: 2016-01-07 08:08
(China Daily)
|
|||||||||
Live images show a bus burst into flames after it caught fire in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, on Tuesday.[Photo/Weibo] |
There can be no excuse for such an inhumane act targeted at innocent people.
The 33-year-old suspect, Ma Yongping, who allegedly set fire to a bus on Tuesday afternoon, killing 17 people and injuring 33 more, reportedly wanted to inflict "revenge on society" after he failed to resolve a dispute over money with a subcontractor on a local construction project.
The heavy casualties in the bus fire in Yinchuan, capital of the Ningxia Hui autonomous region in Northwest China, have once again revealed the psychological scars caused by similar incidents in recent years and exacerbated people's concerns over the safety in such crowded public venues as buses.
This is the most deadly bus fire since the summer of 2013, when a resident in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, killed 47 people after setting fire to a bus for the same reason.
Even if Ma had become embroiled in a "pitiful situation", as some have claimed on the Internet, that is no excuse for murder. Some may question whether there are the necessary channels whereby those like Ma can seek redress for perceived wrongs, but setting fire to a bus carrying passengers crosses the moral and legal bottom line no matter what pressure a person may be under.
It is unavoidable that there will be this or that kind of dispute between people. But the failure to reach a settlement does not justify any party that feels injured taking matters into their own hands in such a lawless way.
The repeated occurrence of such violent acts in China means the whole of society should act to stop such extreme means from becoming a habitual pattern for those who cannot resolve personal disputes.
And if convicted, Ma should receive his deserved punishment without any lenience to deter others from following his example.
- Arson suspect detained in deadly NW China bus fire
- Asylum seekers fear arson attack
- Six dead, three injured in NW China's community arson
- Suspects arrested following deadly West Bank arson
- Child burns to death in W. Bank arson
- Massive arson fire suspect arrested in Los Angeles
- Bus arson suspect detained on the spot, no casualties
- Three sentenced over fatal arson attack in China
- Arson on packed bus leaves seven dead
- Xiamen bus arson suspect nabbed
- Obama says US must act on gun violence, defends new gun control rules
- Over 1 million refugees have fled to Europe by sea in 2015: UN
- Turbulence injures multiple Air Canada passengers, diverts flight
- NASA releases stunning images of our planet from space station
- US-led air strikes kill IS leaders linked to Paris attacks
- DPRK senior party official Kim Yang Gon killed in car accident
- What's in store at CES 2016
- Li springs a surprise on coal mine visit
- Man proposes to his beloved with a $23,010 ghost castle
- New Year's wishes from Chinese expatriates
- Xi begins new year with visit to Chongqing
- Top 10 events that moves the stocks
- Top 10 travel spots around Hainan
- Highlights of second stage of Darkar Rally 2016
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
8 highlights about V-day Parade |
Glimpses of Tibet: Plateaus, people and faith |
Chinese entrepreneurs remain optimistic despite economic downfall |
50th anniversary of Tibet autonomous region |
Tianjin explosions: Deaths, destruction and bravery |
Cinemas enjoy strong first half |
Today's Top News
Shooting rampage at US social services agency leaves 14 dead
Chinese bargain hunters are changing the retail game
Chinese president arrives in Turkey for G20 summit
Islamic State claims responsibility for Paris attacks
Obama, Netanyahu at White House seek to mend US-Israel ties
China, not Canada, is top US trade partner
Tu first Chinese to win Nobel Prize in Medicine
Huntsman says Sino-US relationship needs common goals
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |