At least 7 people stabbed in south China

BEIJING — At least seven people were stabbed in an apparently random attack Thursday in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, state media reported.

The official Xinhua News Agency said seven people were slashed in the city's Tianhe district in the evening attack. The Sina news website put the number of those hurt at eight.

The reports said the assailant was also injured and taken to a hospital.

There was no immediate word on a motive for the attack, although Sina quoted witnesses as saying the man appeared to be drunk. Police were investigating.

Random attacks happen occasionally in China, usually carried out by mentally ill people or those bearing grudges against neighbors or society in general. Firearms are tightly controlled in China, so attackers commonly use kitchen knives or homemade explosives.