An Indian international student has been hospitalised after a violent and allegedly racially motivated attack in the heart of Adelaide, sparking widespread outrage and prompting calls for stronger protections for international students.
Charanpreet Singh, 23, was out with his wife near Kintore Avenue at around 9:22pm on Saturday, 19 July, when he was allegedly ambushed by a group of five men armed with what appeared to be metal knuckles or sharp objects. The couple had just parked their car to see the city’s light displays when the unprovoked attack occurred.
According to eyewitnesses and footage circulated on social media, the men exited another vehicle and began striking Singh without warning, shouting racial slurs including “F*** off, Indian” before fleeing the scene.
Singh told 9News that the attack began over a car park dispute, but quickly escalated into what he believes was a racially charged assault. “They just said, ‘F— off, Indian,’ and after that they just started punching,” he recalled.
“You can change anything in your body, but you can’t change the colours.”
It is reported by 9News that Singh was left unconscious on the road with serious injuries, including facial fractures and brain trauma.
Emergency services arrived soon after and transported Singh to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, where he received overnight treatment for his injuries.
South Australia Police confirmed they were called to Kintore Avenue just before 9.30pm following reports of an assault. “When police arrived, they located the 22-year-old victim on the floor with facial injuries. He was taken to hospital for treatment. Investigations are continuing,” a police spokesperson told The Indian Sun.
South Australia’s Premier Peter Malinauskas strongly condemned the attack, saying,
“Any time we see any evidence of any racial attack, it is completely unwelcome in our state and just not consistent with where the majority of our community are at.”
One man has been arrested and charged, while police continue to search for the remaining attackers. CCTV footage from the well-monitored Kintore Avenue area is being reviewed, and authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
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