Govt to compensate local vendors after deadly bombing

Vendors at the open-air market where a terrorist attack took place in Urumqi on Thursday morning were asked to report their losses to the local government on Friday.

On Thursday, two cars without license plates plowed into people at the morning market with the occupants throwing explosives into the crowds. The attack killed 31 people and injured at least 94 others.

Meanwhile, the government has set up a special workgroup to take care of the victims and their families.

Shao Dongfeng, 42, escaped death by jumping away from one of the suspects' cars before it exploded right in front of his stall of grains and dry fruit. He has recorded the weights of different products in his stall on Thursday morning on a notebook and showed it to the community officials who administrate the market on Friday morning.

"They have taken down the figures and said they will get back to me. I suffered a loss of at least 30,000 yuan ($4,810)." Shao said. All his goods were turned to ashes in the flames from the burning car. His tricycle and mobile phone were also destroyed in the fire.

Shao said he didn't know how he could earn a living after the market where he has been doing business for 19 years will be permanently closed after the horrible attack. "It is still like a nightmare to me. I don't really care about how much compensation the government could give me. I am just glad I am still alive."

cuijia@chinadaily.com.cn