Chinese state media say authorities have dramatically increased financial compensation offered to the families of those killed in a train wreck nine days ago.

The Communist Party-affiliated Global Times newspaper said Monday that 31 families who lost relatives in the crash are being offered $143,000 in compensation, up from the $77,000 being offered last week.

The newspaper said 19 families had accepted the settlement as of Sunday, but that the other families are still holding out. It said some are seeking higher compensation while others refuse to settle until they see the results of an investigation into the crash.

Thirty-nine people were killed and almost 200 were injured when a high-speed train crashed into the rear of another stalled train on July 23, throwing four carriages off a bridge. The crash has been the most discussed item on Chinese microblogs for the past week, with participants demanding a better explanation of the causes of the crash.