Breaking: Explosions Rock Market In China’s Xinjiang Region

A series of explosions are being reported from the far western Chinese region of Xinjiang. According to CNN, multiple explosions rocked a crowded marketplace in the capital city of Urumqi, causing an unspecified number of casualties. The incident happened after two vehicles, probably armed with explosives, plowed into a crowded marketplace at around 7:50 am local time. Only one of the vehicles is reported to have exploded. Another report claims that explosives were thrown at people in the market.

China’s official news agency Xinhua said more information would be forthcoming in the next few hours. Meanwhile, USA Today is reporting that the explosion happened near a public park in Urumqi.

The explosions come days after a local Islamic militant group called the Turkestan Islamic Party had claimed they were responsible for an attack at a railway station in the Xinjiang region back in April that killed one person and injured 79 others. China’s Xinjiang region is home to the Muslim Uygur ethnic group, and has seen an increase in violence over the past few years.

We will update this story as and when more information is received.