One ambulance driver said "Mobs hid beside the hospital gate waiting to attack our ambulances. We needed some protection."

Local armed police helped take victims to the hospital, and watched over the ambulances.

Meanwhile, staff from a movie theatre in Urumqi welcomed injured victims to take refuge inside.

Surveillance cameras near the entrance to the company recorded victims being attacked. Staff at the company were among those helping out.

Staff of Local Movie Theatre said "I saw two people up there that night. A little girl and a man. They looked pale and scared. I asked them down, and took them to my office. They left safely the next day."

At least 22 people survived after sheltering in the company for the night. They and many others are grateful they were rescued from the violence.

(CCTV July 8, 2009)