Two dead, 24 injured during Tibetan riots in China

KANDING, China, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Two people died and 24 police and firemen were injured in two days of rioting by Tibetan separatists in China's Sichuan province, Chinese officials said.

The rioting started on Jan. 23, Chinese New Year's Day, in Luhuo county, in the Ganzi Tibetan prefecture, China Daily reported Wednesday. Protesters shouting slogans for Tibetan independence stormed police stations and thew Molotov cocktails and stones at the law enforcement officers, the report said.

Ten police officers and firefighters were injured and one rioter died in the incident.

The second incident occurred the following day, about 95 miles away in Seda county. Flamed gas bottles were thrown at police officers, officials said. Fourteen police officers was injured and one rioter died in the Seda attack. Thirteen rioters were arrested.

The Sichuan information office said the attacks were plotted by separatist groups.