The families of innocent civilians killed in Sunday's riot in western China will receive compensation of 200,000 yuan (US$29,282) for each fatality, an official said on Friday.

Wang Fengyun, director of the Urumqi Civil Affairs Bureau, said at a press conference that the compensation method had been formulated and would be announced soon.

The city government of Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, would also provide a funeral fee of 10,000 yuan for each fatality.

In addition, the city government would also offer a "comfort benefit" of 10,000 yuan for each fatality, she said.

At least 156 people died and more than 1,000 were wounded in the riot.

(Xinhua News Agency July 10, 2009)