Twenty-two primary school children were wounded in a knife attack Friday in central China , authorities said . The attack took place at the entrance to the Chenpeng Village Primary School in Henan province , according to the public information department of Guangshan county , the area where the school is located . An adult was also wounded , it said . Several of the children are in critical condition , the state-run website Chinanews.com said , citing local authorities . Read more : Malala is face of global attacks on schools . Police say they have detained a suspect , a 36-year-old man from the village , state media reported . Initial assessments suggest the man is mentally ill , Chinanews.com said , citing Guangshan authorities . China was hit by a spate of knife and cleaver attacks that targeted school children in 2010 . A number of measures were introduced at the time , including increased security at schools across the country and a regulation requiring people to register with their national ID cards when buying large knives .
Several of the children are in a critical state , state media report . The attack took place Friday morning at a primary school in Henan province . Police say they have arrested a 36-year - old local woman . China was hit by a spate of knife and cleaver attacks on school children in China .