The compensation for the families of those killed in a high-speed train crash in Wenzhou, East China's Zhejiang province has been increased to 915,000 yuan ($143,000), the Xinhua News Agency reported Friday, quoting sources with the local rescue command center.

It is almost double the previous offer of 500,000 yuan after officials spoke to family members about their loss, and is done in accordance with the Tort Law of the People's Republic of China.

The compensation is a payment to families for their loss and funeral expenses, and includes compensation for emotional distress and one-off aid that will help cover living expenses for the victims' children.

The new amount will be made to all the families of victims who died even if they had already accepted the previous offer.

The Ministry of Railways is still working on the compensation package for those who were injured in the tragedy on July 23.

The death toll from a high-speed train crash in East China's Zhejiang province has risen to 40 after a critically injured passenger died, local government authorities said Friday.

Chen Wei from southeast Fujian province died at about 11 pm Thursday at a local hospital, sources with the government of the city of Wenzhou said.