The death toll from an explosion at a natural gas field in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality Tuesday has risen to 163.

The tragedy took place at 10 pm at Chuandongbei gas field in Kaixian County, when a well burst suddenly and released a high concentration of natural gas and sulfurated hydrogen.

The blowout has been brought under control.

(Xinhua News Agency December 25, 2003)