Tang Qingyan, the owner of the Yishion clothing store, was the first witness to arrive after the blaze. He says he saw an extremely cruel scene the five girls had been burned to death on the second floor of the store.

Tang Qingyan, the owner of the Yishion clothing store.

Tang Qingyan said, "I was the first one to get here and I was crying. I thought there were still some people alive, so I searched everywhere. And then, I saw my sister, she was here, facing the wall."

Losing her dear friends after being with them only hours ago Zhuoma says it's nearly unbearable to face up to the reality of the brutality and cruelty.

Zhuoma said, "I never thought about it. We were happy together that morning, but it suddenly changed a few hours later. I can't believe it, I can't accept the truth that they have left me. I want to ask the rioters why they did it. I really can't understand why the rioters killed innocent civilians."

One of the victims, Cering Zhuoga, came from Xigaze. Upon hearing of her death Cering’s aunt and brother rushed to Lhasa.

Cering's annt said, "We lost a girl who is so good."

Cering's brother said, "She was the smartest girl we have. It is extremely tragic."

As a tragic result of a rampaging mob and a senseless  fire -- five young girls are dead. Many Lhasa residents are  mourning the deaths of the five workers in the clothing store.

As a tragic result of a rampaging mob and a senseless fire -- five young girls are dead. Many Lhasa residents are mourning the deaths of the five workers in the clothing store. Many mourners are strangers of the innocent victims.

Lhasa resident said, "We all feel that it is so cruel."

Lhasa resident said, "We witnessed the rioters' violence. They robbed, smashed and burned the stores, and took five young lives. We feel indignant and condemn the rioters."

The local police acted quickly, trying to prevent the situation from deteriorating. They exercised maximum restraint in the face of the marauding rioters. And they were consistently on the defensive.