A demolition group physically assaulted an elderly couple in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, on Wednesday after the husband and wife delayed vacating the hotel that is managed by their son, according to a report by the Qianjiang Evening News on Thursday.

Jiang Xialian's bruised hands.

The 77-year-old Jiang Meiqing suffered a fractured leg, and his doctor said it is still hard to say if he will recover completely.

Jiang's son, Jiang Xiongfei, used to manage the Youlian Hotel near Ningbo South Railway Station. As the family had not settled the issue of compensation following a planned demolition of the hotel, Jiang's parents were staying there.

About 20 men shattered a window Wednesday on the second floor after entering through the back door.

Jiang's wife, Jiang Xialian, and their daughter-in-law, Chen Qingfang, managed to somehow force them to leave.

But, more than 40 men soon arrived, and dragged Jiang Xialian out of the front door. She was pushed to the ground and received blows to her head, before losing consciousness.

Jiang Xiongfei soon arrived at the scene and he was also attacked.

"When I tried to stop them and take my wife to hospital, they pushed me to the ground and kicked me in the stomach and the back," Jiang Meiqing said.

An officer surnamed Zhang at the Ningbo South Railway Station was quoted as saying that it was the demolition company that had sent its employees to smash up the hotel.