Sensex ends down 402pts at 16,679

The index, however, slipped back into red owing to lack of buying support at higher levels. The selling gain momentum in late noon trades and the index tumbled to a low of 16,679 - down 447 points from the high.

The Sensex finally closed (provisional) with loss of 402 points at 16,679.

The NSE Nifty closed (provisional) points 109 lower at 4,972.