BEIJING (AP) — A Chinese man with a kitchen knife attacked first- and second-graders at a school in central China on Tuesday, injuring eight children, local authorities said.

The government of Macheng city in Hubei province said the man, identified as 35-year-old Chen Zuihang, was detained following the attack. It said on its website that police were investigating the motive.

The statement said the injured students were being treated at a hospital.

China has suffered a series of attacks on kindergartens and grade schools, often by people who are mentally ill or are angry at society.

Last month, a group of eight knife-wielding men slashed at students on their way home, killing one student and injuring two in the northwestern city of Ankang.

Last year, a man injured six pupils and one parent with a kitchen cleaver in the southern city of Maoming.

Education officials have ordered tighter security at schools throughout the country.

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