Update | Security tightened after three killed in bomb, knife attack at Urumqi train station
President Xi Jinping vows to 'crush terrorists'
Security was tightened at South Urumqi train station one day after the blast that killed three people and injured 79 others in a suspected terror attack, with an increased armed police presence.
Dozens of armoured vehicles were stationed on Thursday afternoon at entrances to the largest railway station in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang, with hundreds of gun- or shield-wielding uniformed officers patrolling the railway complex.
The station exit, where the blast took place, was cordoned off on Thursday, leaving many onlookers, both Han and Uygur, standing by solemnly and quietly exchanging words about the attack.
“Some people were chopping others with their knives, and then came the sound of the explosion, which was deafening,” said a shop worker at a mobile phone accessories shop.
“I ran away without thinking, but I saw several men lying on the ground, heavily injured.” she said. She added that she did not clearly see how many assailants there were, or how they were dressed.
All I heard was the explosion and screams, and all I saw were several people hurt
