A man suspected of killing nine of his relatives in Baoding, Hebei province, during the Spring Festival holiday was arrested on Thursday.

The 21-year-old had earlier eluded the authorities. The victims were killed during a family gathering on Monday, villagers said. The youngest was aged five.

"He (the suspect) has had some conflict with his relatives for a long time," a villager said.

Local police tracked the suspect to a mountain in Baoding. They got the fugitive Thursday afternoon.

China Daily

(China Daily 02/16/2008 page1)