Four Iowa Cornell College professors stabbed in China

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Four instructors at an Iowa college were stabbed in a public park in China over the weekend while they were in the country to teach at a partner university, according to school officials and lawmakers.

Instructors at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, were attacked Sunday in Beishan Park in the city of Jilin while visiting with a Beihua University faculty member, the president of the College said Monday. small private college.

“We have learned that four Cornell instructors teaching through a partnership with a university in China were injured in a serious incident during a daytime visit to a public park while accompanied by a faculty member at the partner institution,” said Cornell President Jonathan Brand. in a report.

“We have been in contact with all four instructors and are helping them during this time.”

No students were participating in the long-running program between Cornell College and Beihua University, Brand added.

The family of one of the victims told Iowa Public Radio that the four instructors survived the attack and were being treated at a nearby hospital. Their current conditions are unknown.

Iowa lawmakers — and a video that reportedly showed the bloodied victims lying on the ground — confirmed the teachers were “brutally stabbed.”

“Horrified that several Cornell College faculty members were brutally stabbed in China,” said Rep. Ashley Hinson, whose district includes the college. “My team is in communication with Cornell College and will do everything in our power to bring these Iowans home safely.” Join me in praying for their health and safety.

It is unclear what led to the stabbing and whether the attack was targeted or random.

Videos and photos of the attack posted on Chinese social networks like Weibo were quickly deleted, but some images were still broadcast on X.

The US State Department said it was aware of reports of a stabbing involving Americans in China and was monitoring the situation.

The State Department previously issued a Level 3 travel advisory — the second-highest level — for mainland China regarding arbitrary detentions and exit bans that could trap Americans in the country.

Some American colleges and universities have suspended their partnerships and programs with Chinese institutions due to this notice.