Live: 39 dead, 94 injured in Urumqi terrorist bombing

23:50 Thursday

International community strongly condemn Urumqi terror attack

Strong condemnation of the terrorist attack that claimed over 31 lives in China's northwestern city of Urumqi poured in from the international community on Thursday.

23:00 Thursday

Airline resumes flights to Xinjiang after clearing risks

Two flights from Shanghai to Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, continued their journey after clearing security checks at Nanjing and Lanzhou airports.

Low-cost carrier Juneyao Airlines flight HO1229 from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to Urumqi was diverted to Nanjing Lukou International Airport after police received a tipoff that a passenger had explosives on board.

All the passengers were searched and nothing was found, according to the police. The flight then took off at 5:50 p.m. and continued on to Urumqi. Read More...

Two flights from Shanghai to Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, continued their journey after clearing security checks at Nanjing and Lanzhou airports. [Photo/Xinhua]

Two flights from Shanghai to Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, continued their journey after clearing security checks at Nanjing and Lanzhou airports. [Photo/cctv]

21:00 Thursday

SCO chief condemns Urumqi terror attack

Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Secretary-General Dmitry Mezentsev on Thursday condemned the deadly terrorist attack in northwest China's Urumqi City, expressing the SCO's strong indignation and deep sorrow.

"We express deep-felt condolence to the victims and convey sincere solace to relatives of the victims and the injured people, " Mezentsev said in a statement. Read More...

19:30 Thursday

Russia, Hungary condemn terrorist attack in Urumqi

Russia and Hungary strongly condemned a terror attack in the northwest Chinese city of Urumqi, which has claimed dozens of lives.

"Russia is shocked with what has happened in Urumqi. We categorically condemn that bloody, barbarous act and hope its organizers will be found and prosecuted," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich told reporters.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has also sent a message to Chinese President Xi Jinping expressing his condolences to the victims of the terror attack, the Kremlin said Thursday.

In the message, Putin strongly condemned the "bloody crime" and said he hoped the organizers will be found and prosecuted. Read More...

"Hungary's government deeply condemns all forms of terrorism as a matter of principle," said a statement issued by the Hungarian Foreign Ministry, calling all manner of terrorist actions against innocent people inexcusable and terrible crimes. Read More...

17:00 Thursday

China confident in fighting terrorists: spokesman

Where the explosions struck

China said it has the confidence and capability to crack down on terrorists after the latest terrorist attack in Northwest China killed 31 people and injured 94 others Thursday morning.

"The violence, a further indication of the terrorists' anti-human , anti-society and anti-civilization nature, should be condemned by the Chinese people and the international community," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said. Read More...

14:42 Thursday

Witnesses describe terror attack in Urumqi

A witness who was buying groceries at the market said he saw vehicles plough into people and also explosives thrown out of the vehicles.

"I heard a series of large explosions and the vehicles were soon on fire, with flames rising so high they could reach the second floor of a building," the witness said. Read More...



13:10 Thursday

President Xi vows to punish Urumqi bombers

Court convicts 39 of spreading religious extremism in Xinjiang

Xi urges 'decisive actions' against terrorism

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to severely punish terrorists and spare no efforts in maintaining stability in response to Thursday morning's fatal explosions in Urumqi.

Police will step up patrols and security control over possible terrorist targets and prevent ripple effects, said Xi in a statement.

Xi asked local authorities to solve the case fast, put the injured under proper care and offer condolences to families of the victims.

The Chinese government will continue to work hard in fighting terrorism and try its best to safeguard social stability, he said.

The explosions,which hit an open air market in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, have left 31 dead and more than 90 injured.

A working group led by Minister of Public Security Guo Shengkun has left for Xinjiang to supervise the investigation and handle the aftermath.

So far all injured people have been sent to hospitals and police are pushing through the investigation, authorities said.

A police officer is seen near a blast scene, which has been cordoned off, in downtown Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 22, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

31 dead in Urumqi terror strike

URUMQI - The explosions at an open air market in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, have left 31 dead and more than 90 injured Thursday, authorities said. The blast is a "serious violent terrorist incident", China's Ministry of Public Security said in a statement on Thursday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to severely punish terrorists and spare no efforts in maintaining stability, in response to Thursday morning's explosions in Urumqi.

Domestic security chief Meng Jianzhu vowed to "destroy the arrogance of violent terrorists", the statement said.

Public Security authorities have taken emergency measures, the statement added.

All the injured were rushed to several hospitals, police said.

Witnesses said two cross-country vehicles driving from north to south ploughed into people in the market at 7:50 am. Explosives were thrown out of the vehicles.

One of the vehicles exploded in the market.

A business runner in the market told Xinhua he heard a dozen of big bangs.

The open air morning market is located near the Renmin Park in downtown Urumqi. Ambulance and police cars are parking at the entrance of Park North Street leading to the market.

Flames and heavy smoke were seen. The scene has been cordoned off.