The final death toll from a coal mine gas leak in southwest China's Guizhou Province Tuesday has risen to 16, after rescuers retrieved the last body Thursday.

The body was found at around 9:55 a.m., said a rescue headquarters spokesman.

An investigation has found that 59 miners were working underground when the accident happened at around 9:30 a.m. at the Mingyang Coal Mine in Changgang Township, Renhuai City.

Forty-three managed to escape or were rescued.

Mingyang Coal Mine is a licensed private coal mine with a production capacity of 90,000 tonnes per year.

The investigation into the cause of the accident is continuing.