This came as a fire in a high-rise building in the Xinjiang capital, which killed 10 on Thursday night, went viral on social media as many internet users surmised that residents could not escape in time because the building was partially locked down.

Responding to media inquiry, a university spokesman said the university decided to call for police assistance after persons involved in the incident failed to identify themselves as students, nor did they specify the reason for their actions.

Police officers who responded to the scene confirmed their identities as students, while the students later left the scene on their own account, the spokesman added.

Meanwhile, a similar vigil was held at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology at around 9pm yesterday, according to reports.

The report noted that a group of mainland students at the university light candles to commemorate the victims of the fire. People also held up blank sheets of paper as an expression of protest.