Police have arrested several hundreds in connection with Sunday night's riot in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the regional government said Monday.

The arrested included at least a dozen who were suspected of fanning the unrest, which saw at least 140 dead, said Liu Yaohua, the region's police chief, at a press conference midday Monday.

Fifty-seven dead bodies were retrieved from Urumqi's streets and lanes, while all the others were confirmed dead at hospitals, said Liu. He said the death toll would still be climbing.

At least 828 people were injured in the deadly violence.

Rioters burned 261 motor vehicles, including 190 buses, at least 10 taxis and two police cars, said Liu. A preliminary investigation showed 203 shops and 14 homes were destroyed in the riot.

Liu said police are still searching for about 90 other key suspects in the city.

"Police have tightened security in downtown Urumqi streets and at key institutions such as power and natural gas companies and TV stations to prevent large scale riots."

Checkpoints have been set up in Urumqi's key areas as well as the neighboring Changji and Turpan prefectures to prevent the rioters from fleeing, Liu said.

(XHTV July 7, 2009)