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Urumqi attack kills 31 in China's Xinjiang region Urumqi attack kills 31 in China's Xinjiang region
(35 minutes 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.
Last month a bomb attack at a station in Urumqi killed three people and injured dozens more. China blamed the attack on Uighur separatists.
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''Multiple explosions'
Pictures on Weibo microblogs - China's equivalent of Twitter - taken by eyewitnesses 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."
A local shopkeeper, Fang Shaoying, told the Associated Press: "I heard four or five explosions. I was very scared. I saw three or four people lying on the ground."
Photos showed flames engulfing a junction and fire engines going to the scene.
"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."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.
One photo showed flames engulfing a junction. Others showed at least three fire engines mobilised to put out the fire. The injured were taken to several hospitals, Xinhua said.
Local media said eyewitnesses heard multiple explosions. The injured were taken to several hospitals, Xinhua said.
Separately, the authorities in the Chinese capital Beijing announced new security measures in 14 key areas.Separately, the authorities in the Chinese capital Beijing announced new security measures in 14 key areas.
Uighurs and XinjiangUighurs and Xinjiang
Why is there tension between China and the Uighurs?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 to improve livelihoods, but some Uighurs say their traditions - including religious freedom - are being crushed by tight Chinese control.China says it is pouring money into the region to improve livelihoods, but some Uighurs say their traditions - including religious freedom - are being crushed by tight Chinese control.
Tensions between the two communities erupted into violence in 2009. Riots in Urumqi left some 200 people dead. In 2009, tensions erupted. Riots in Urumqi left some 200 people dead.
There has also been a series of violent incidents that Beijing has blamed on Uighur separatists. They include Beijing has blamed a series of violent incidents on Uighur separatists. They include
This latest incident comes days after 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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