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Urumqi attack kills 31 in China's Xinjiang region Urumqi attack kills 31 in China's Xinjiang region
(about 1 hour later)
Attackers in China's restive Xinjiang region have crashed two cars into shoppers at a market, killing 31 people, Chinese media reports say.Attackers in China's restive Xinjiang region have crashed two cars into shoppers at a market, killing 31 people, Chinese media reports say.
They also threw explosives during the attack in the regional capital Urumqi. More than 90 people were injured, the state-run Xinhua news agency said.They also threw explosives during the attack in the regional capital Urumqi. More than 90 people were injured, the state-run Xinhua news agency said.
The Ministry of Public Security called it a "violent terrorist incident".The Ministry of Public Security called it a "violent terrorist incident".
Xinjiang, which is home to the Muslim Uighur minority, has seen a spate of attacks in the past year.Xinjiang, which is home to the Muslim Uighur minority, has seen a spate of attacks in the past year.
Information about incidents in the region, where ethnic tensions between Uighurs and Han Chinese continue, is tightly controlled.Information about incidents in the region, where ethnic tensions between Uighurs and Han Chinese continue, is tightly controlled.
'Multiple explosions' 'Smoke billowing'
Pictures on Weibo microblogs - China's equivalent of Twitter - appeared to show Thursday's attack taking place at one end of a busy market street lined with vegetable stalls.Pictures on Weibo microblogs - China's equivalent of Twitter - appeared to show Thursday's attack taking place at one end of a busy market street lined with vegetable stalls.
One of the two vehicles exploded.One of the two vehicles exploded.
"The air was full of the smell of gunpowder and the sound of sobbing," one witness told the Reuters news agency. "There were simply too many (casualties), elderly people who were at the morning market." Eyewitness: Weibo user "Manga" (漫画)
A local shopkeeper told the Associated Press he heard "four or five explosions" and saw "three or four people lying on the ground". I didn't go downstairs because I was scared. I was the only one [at home]. I was worried for my safety. I heard the first two blasts, like a thunderstorm, and I thought it was one. Then there were another three to four explosions, and then smoke billowing, and everybody downstairs was running... The ambulances arrived immediately (within 10 minutes), then came a police car. More ambulances, fire trucks and police cars arrived within 30 minutes.
"Witnesses said two cross-country vehicles driving from north to south ploughed into people in the market at 07:50. Explosives were thrown out of the vehicles," the Xinhua report said.
The injured were taken to several hospitals, Xinhua said.The injured were taken to several hospitals, Xinhua said.
The World Uyghur Congress said the authorities in the Chinese capital Beijing should not increase the crackdown in Xinjiang.The World Uyghur Congress said the authorities in the Chinese capital Beijing should not increase the crackdown in Xinjiang.
A spokesman told the BBC the violent incidents were a direct result of Beijing's policies in the region.A spokesman told the BBC the violent incidents were a direct result of Beijing's policies in the region.
A flight from Shanghai to Urumqi on Thursday was diverted and landed at Nanjing for security reasons, Xinhua reported.
Separately, new security measures have been announced for key areas of Beijing.Separately, new security measures have been announced for key areas of Beijing.
Uighurs and Xinjiang
Why is there tension between China and the Uighurs?
Xinjiang lies in China's far west, bordering Central Asia.Xinjiang lies in China's far west, bordering Central Asia.
China says it is pouring money into the region, but some Uighurs say their traditions are being crushed.China says it is pouring money into the region, but some Uighurs say their traditions are being crushed.
In 2009, tensions erupted. Riots in Urumqi left some 200 people dead.In 2009, tensions erupted. Riots in Urumqi left some 200 people dead.
Uighurs and Xinjiang
Why is there tension between China and the Uighurs?
Beijing has blamed a series of violent incidents on Uighur separatists. These include an attack in Beijing, where a car ploughed into pedestrians in Tiananmen Square, killing five people, and attacks at railway stations in Urumqi and Kunming.Beijing has blamed a series of violent incidents on Uighur separatists. These include an attack in Beijing, where a car ploughed into pedestrians in Tiananmen Square, killing five people, and attacks at railway stations in Urumqi and Kunming.
Earlier this week, Chinese courts jailed 39 people as part of what the authorities called an operation to curb the spread of audio and video materials inciting terrorism.Earlier this week, Chinese courts jailed 39 people as part of what the authorities called an operation to curb the spread of audio and video materials inciting terrorism.
Those jailed included a 25-year old who had incited hatred in comments made in chat rooms and a father who had preached extremism to his son, the Xinjiang Supreme Court said.Those jailed included a 25-year old who had incited hatred in comments made in chat rooms and a father who had preached extremism to his son, the Xinjiang Supreme Court said.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected? You can share your photos and experiences with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using 'Urumqi' in the subject heading.Are you in the area? Have you been affected? You can share your photos and experiences with us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using 'Urumqi' in the subject heading.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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