Five urban enforcement officers were hospitalized Saturday after a riot involving more than 1,000 people broke out in Zhejiang province.

Witnesses said the violence erupted after 36-year-old Mr. Huang was beat to death by an official because he allegedly attempted to use his phone in order to document the officer behaving aggressively toward a street vendor.

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The rapidly growing crowd began shouting for the officers to be killed on the spot for what they had done, according to the witnesses.

They said the five took refuge in a van but angry civilians assaulted them through smashed windows and managed to collectively tip the vehicle over.

The rioters then dragged the five men from the van and beat them until they were unconscious.

All the five enforcement officers survived the attacks but two are in critical condition while the other three received treatment for what were considered to be minor wounds.

Police troops were dispatched to deal with the riots but despite using tear gas and firing several warning shots, were unable to immediately control the angry crowds.

Law enforcers finally succeeded in getting the mob to disperse after they arrested several rioters.