The death toll from the colliery gas blast in southwest China's Guizhou Province has been confirmed at 16, as rescue work concluded Tuesday.

The explosion took place at the Shagou Coal Mine in Liupanshui city at 4:55 AM on November 18 when 25 miners were working underground in the pit. Nine of the trapped managed to escape and 16 were found dead by rescuers.

Families of each dead have got compensation of 200,000 yuan (US$25,000), the city government source said.

By Tuesday afternoon, the rescue efforts and work dealing with the aftermath of the accident have drawn to conclusion, the source said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 23, 2005)