Survivors recall moments in Urumqi market attack

A photo taken on May 25 shows Yang Fuhua, who is being treated in the orthopedics department of Xinjiang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, relating her experience as a survivor in the May 22, 2014 terrorist attack.[Photo by Chen Feng/Asianewsphoto]

Yang Fuhua, 69, is the oldest patient in Zhai's ward. She is due to have surgery for fractures on her right arm on Monday.

"My arm was broken after being hit by people who were thrown by the explosions. My husband was once a soldier and even he was traumatized."

Bearing the pain, she walked to the hospital covered in blood while holding her broken arm with the other hand. "More than 100 doctors and nurses were at the emergency room when I got there at 8:10 am."

Gulsali Bekri, who was in the bed next to Yang, nodded when Yang said she finally felt a bit relieved when she saw the crowd of doctors and nurses.

"I was knocked down by the shockwave of the explosion and the muscle on my back was badly torn," said the 47-year-old who runs a store selling curtains at the market. All of her goods were burned to ashes.

Liu said most of the people being treated at the hospital are seniors. Five of them are from the Uygur ethnic group.