A government taskforce set up to investigate the Luoyang disaster said yesterday that, contrary to some reports, more than 60 people had escaped the inferno.
A total of 309 died on Christmas Day in a disco in Luoyang, Henan province, after fire erupted in the lower basement of the Dongdu Commercial Building.
The taskforce confirmed the death toll in a statement, ending speculation that more people had died in Monday night's fire.
Led by the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Supervision and the All China Federation of Trade Unions, the group was formed on Tuesday morning. It is headed by Shi Wanpeng, deputy director of the State Economic and Trade Commission.
Officials said yesterday that seven people had been sent to hospital. One had already been discharged while the others are said to be in stable condition.
Xinhua's online edition said the death toll was confirmed after a second check and 'clean-up' of the building yesterday. Officials have not mentioned compensation for the injured or the victims' families.
Officials said an emergency meeting had been called on Tuesday for those in charge of work units and residential blocks of the victims. They said the officials had been asked to help victims' families and ensure social stability. Xinhua confirmed that the lack of fire-prevention equipment and blocked exits had led to the high death toll, as most victims died from smoke inhalation when they tried to fight their way out.