Two Australian National University students allegedly attacked by a baseball bat-wielding classmate on Friday have described their injuries, as the Chinese embassy in Canberra urges international students to stay safe.
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A statistics tutorial was interrupted early Friday by an 18-year-old Canberra man allegedly charging at his tutor with a baseball bat. He was charged with six assault-related offences and referred for a mental health assessment on Saturday. He has not entered any pleas.
Police say a group of classmates intervened in an attempt to overpower the man, and five people, including four Chinese students, were injured during the incident. The police allegations described blood on desks, across the walls and in students' hair. Chairs were upturned and papers scattered, police allege.
China's official news agency, Xinhua, spoke with two of the alleged victims.
One unidentified female student was reported to have suffered a broken arm and stayed overnight in the Canberra Hospital awaiting surgery. She said she did not know the alleged attacker.
"He [the attacker] just stood up and started to bash the baseball bat to students sitting closest to him," she said.
"Shouting something loudly, he randomly wielded the bat when walking towards the tutor.
"I was sitting close to the door but I don't have time to swipe my card to open the door.
"Beside the door is very heavy. Then he attacked me on my arm and it really hurts a lot."
Xinhua reported a male student stayed overnight in the hospital with a fractured finger bone and "slightly caved in skull".
He told the outlet he had been sitting behind the attacker and hit while he was scratching his head and then hurt his finger.
Chinese diplomatic officials visited the students in hospital and the embassy later published a statement on its website asking the matter be dealt with quickly.
"The embassy ... urges the Australian [officials] to investigate and deal with the case in a timely manner and take all necessary measures to effectively protect the personal safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students studying in Australia," the statement said.
"At present, the injured students are in stable condition.
"The Chinese Embassy in Australia once again reminded Chinese citizens in Australia to pay attention to safety."
International students Fairfax Media spoke with on Friday said they felt safe studying in Canberra.
Lucas Ni, a third-year student at the ANU, said he felt a "little bit worried" but believed stronger counselling services were needed.
"I think the problem is not to improve security, it's probably to ensure ANU students attach more importance to the mental problems among students," he said.
"I've been studying here for around three years and have never been attacked by any other people or been bothered.
"I think it's a quite peaceful and safe place, not just for ANU but all over Canberra."
Fourth-year student Jessica Zhao agreed: "I think ANU is quite safe for all students."
