At least 11 people were killed and dozens injured after a car ploughed into a crowded square in southern China and the driver attacked people with a knife and spade seeking "revenge" on society for previous criminal convictions, the government said on Thursday (Sept 13).

The incident took place in Mishui town, part of Hengyang city in Hunan province, in early evening on Wednesday (Sept 12), the Hengyang government said in a statement.

The driver, surnamed Yang, drove the car alone onto the square, then attacked people using a spade and a knife, the statement added.

Yang, who has a long criminal record with previous convictions for selling drugs, theft and attacking people, did the attack to take "revenge on society", the government said.

Yang has been detained, it said, without giving other details. There was no indication that the incident was terror related.

BDST: 1640 HRS, SEP 13, 2018
AP