As of Sunday,the death toll from Tuesday's gas blowout rose to 233 in Kaixian County in southwest China's Chongqing municipality as more bodies were foundin nearby mountainous villages,according to the local government.

An investigation team was busy working while environmental protection staff,health and epidemic prevention workers,and over1,000 soldiers,armed police and militia,continued their rescue work.

Kaixian County has received over 10,000 quilts sent by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and over 300 tons of food,medicine and other donations from neighboring areas.

On Sunday morning,some 600 officials with 125vehicles had been organized by the local government to help local resients return home as the blowout had already been contained.Villagers living near the gas well are expected to go home Monday.

The accident took place at 10:00 p.m.on Dec.23 at a natural gas field in Kaixian county,operated by China National Petroleum Corporation,when a well burst and released a high concentration of natural gas and sulfurated hydrogen.

In five villages near the gas well,the bodies of poisoned animals,including 2,275 rabbits,866 pigs,241 ducks,476 chickens and 38 dogs were found and buried.