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DNA tech employed to identify riot victims

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-07-08 23:07

URUMQI: Police are using DNA technology to identify the dead left from Sunday's riot in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi Mayor Jerla Isamudin said Wednesday.

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Nine bodies burnt in the fire were still unidentified and DNA technology was needed for the identification, said the mayor at a press conference.

"More than 100 peopled killed by rioters have been identified," he said. "The government will compensate their families."

At least 156 people died and more than 1,000 were injured in the Urumqi unrest Sunday evening, according to Xinjiang regional government.