A mentally ill patient killed three other patients using a chopstick in a mental hospital in Henan, China. Source: YouTube

A mentally ill patient in a China mental health hospital stabbed four patients using a chopstick, reported Chinese media. Three of them died after the attack.

The hospital has been closed for investigations, reported China Daily, citing a statement from the Luoning county government on Tuesday (4 April).

Chinese media said the attack took place on 24 February at Luoning Dazhong Hospital in the Henan province.

Closed circuit TV footage showed the suspect, identified as Yang, tied to a bed. He broke free of his restraints, picked up a chopstick from a nearby table, and walked off camera. He reportedly stabbed two patients in another room.

He then returned to the first room and stabbed two more patients in the head.

Medical staff then discovered Yang and restrained him.

One of the patients died at the scene and two other patients died in hospital from their injuries.

Yang, who was said to be suffering from schizophrenia and had dangerous tendencies, has been detained by the police.

The hospital has been accused of “chaotic management”, and investigations are ongoing. Two county health officials who were in charge of supervising hospitals have also been dismissed.