November 7th, the Chinese Consulate General in Melbourne issued a statement:
On the evening of November 6th, local time, a Chinese citizen was unfortunately killed in downtown Melbourne. The suspect has been apprehended by local police. The Chinese Consulate General in Melbourne has attached great importance to this matter and immediately activated the consular protection emergency mechanism. It has requested the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the case, handle it in accordance with the law and impartially, severely punish the perpetrator, and effectively safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens. The Consulate General has promptly contacted the family of the victim, informed them of the situation, and is working together with relevant parties to provide assistance for the family.
The Chinese Consulate General in Melbourne expresses deep sorrow over the murder of its compatriots and offers sincere condolences to their families. It will continue to maintain communication with local authorities and actively assist in handling the aftermath of this incident.
Previously, on the evening of November 6th, several netizens posted on social platforms stating that a delivery rider in Melbourne was killed after being attacked by a homeless person.
On November 7, the Xiaohongshu account “HungryPanda Panda Delivery” posted “An Update on the Murder of a Rider in Melbourne”. The full text is as follows:
On the evening of November 6th, a fellow rider was unfortunately killed in the center of Melbourne. Like many riders, he traveled through the streets and alleys of the city every day, striving for a living. We are deeply saddened by this incident and offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Another rider was also injured in the incident, and we sincerely wish him a speedy recovery.
Since the incident, we have seen everyone's concern, care, and questions. We have been reading each of them carefully. Now, let us explain the latest developments and what we are doing.
We have contacted the family of the deceased and maintained communication with the Chinese Consulate General in Melbourne. We will do everything possible to support the family and provide them with the necessary support and assistance. No personal information will be disclosed without the consent of the family. Please respect the privacy of the family.
We are keeping track of the injured rider and are trying to provide whatever assistance we can.
According to a bulletin released by Victoria Police on November 7th, at around 8:10 PM on November 6th, two men (believed to be delivery riders) noticed a man they did not know before manipulating their vehicles on Frederick Way. When they approached to discuss the situation, a conflict occurred between the three people. Police arrested a 51-year-old man on the morning of November 7th. The man is still in custody, and police have stated that they will not continue searching for other suspects.
The above information comes from the official report by the Victoria Police. Please refer to the police report and do not spread unverified information. Leave necessary space for your family members.
After the incident, we immediately reported the situation to relevant departments such as WorkSafeVictoria and fully cooperated with the police and other authorities. If you have any information related to the case, please contact CrimeStoppers: 1800333000.
The safety of riders always comes first. The platform never requires riders to chase or confront anyone in order to retrieve orders. We have once again informed all riders: if they feel unsafe, they should immediately stop delivering goods, leave the scene, and call 000 for help.
Panda Delivery hereby reaffirms: According to Panda Delivery's rules, delivery losses caused by theft, robbery, or safety reasons are not borne by the riders. Riders will not have their payments deducted or be penalized for orders that cannot be completed due to safety reasons. We also clearly communicate this rule to all teams and rider partners to ensure its strict enforcement.
We are actively communicating with the governments and police of Victoria and Melbourne, and will host roundtable meetings on rider safety. We will invite relevant departments, rider representatives, and community members to participate in discussions on how to better ensure the safety of riders and communities. Together, we aim to create a safer urban environment for everyone who works and lives in Melbourne. We will also listen carefully to the opinions of every rider, continuously improve safety support measures, and keep you informed about progress. If any rider partners have any needs, please feel free to contact us via the rider-side customer service.
Every rider is someone whose family cares about them. No order should be worth sacrificing one’s life for it.
May those who have passed rest in peace, and may every rider companion go out and return home safely.
