Soldiers searching for missing helicopter

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Source: CCTV.com | 06-02-2008 08:36

More than 2,500 PLA soldiers are conducting an intensive search and rescue operation. They are trying to locate a military transport helicopter with nineteen people on board that went missing during earthquake relief work on Saturday.

More than 2,500 PLA soldiers are trying to locate a military transport helicopter with nineteen people on board that went missing during earthquake relief work  on Saturday.(Photo: xinhua)

The nineteen included five crew members, and 14 injured civilians and other personnel. Military sources say the Mi-171 helicopter crashed around 3 pm near Yingxiu Township in Wenchuan County. It was returning from a mission to carry epidemic prevention experts to Lixian County when it encountered strong turbulence and thick fog, losing contact with the command center.

President Hu Jintao urged an immediate start to search and rescue operations. The Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Guo Boxiong is directing the operation. Mountains and dense forest in the area are hampering search efforts.