This cigarette and liquor store was looted and burnt, but fortunately, the owner escaped.

Vehicles set on fire and destroyed in Sunday night's riot are seen on Beiwan Street in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 6, 2009. [Xinhua]

A Urumqi shop owner said, "It was about half past nine. At first I thought they would leave after smashing our store. While they were tearing things apart, my sister-in-law and I hid under the bed. They took all the cigarettes and other things. They set a fire and the sheets were burning above us. It last for three hours. We didn't think we'd survive."

So far, all the injured have been sent to the emergency center of a local hospital. Some have regained consciousness. Family members have arrived.

A man injured in Sunday night's riot receives treatment at the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 6, 2009. [Xinhua]

Jing Haitao, emergency center of Xinjiang Regional People's Hospital, said, "All of them who were wounded by knives, sticks and stones are suffering trauma. "

There are so many patients that beds have been set up in the corridors.

Jing Haitao said, "All the doctors and nurses in our hospital are mobilized. They all come voluntarily. We've made a emergency treatment plan and established a green channel. We check each patient's condition and sent them to the proper area for treatment."

A Urumqi resident said, "I was hit on my way back from work. My eye, when I look at things, they are swirling."

A Urumqi resident said,"We definitely hate those outlaws. So many innocent people are being hurt for doing nothing but walking on the streets.

The chairman of the Xinjiang regional government, Nur Bekri, made a televised speech on Monday morning.

Nur Bekri said, "The riot acts of beating, smashing, looting and burning was masterminded abroad and carried out domestically."

At a press conference at midday on Monday, the Party Secretary of Urumqi, Li Zhi said the death toll had risen to 140.

At least 828 people were injured in the violence that erupted on Sunday night.

Rioters burned 261 motor vehicles, including 190 buses and at least 10 taxis.

203 shops and 14 homes were destroyed.

The regional government says initial investigations show the violence was masterminded by the separatist World Uyghur Congress led by Rebiya Kadeer.