China Transfers 11,420 Soldiers to Quake-Hit Sichuan

Source: Xinhua

Soldiers evacuate a wounded student at the earthquake-hit Beichuan County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 13, 2008. Beichuan County is badly damaged in Monday's quake, with great numbers of buildings collapsed and landslides around the county. [Photo: Xinhua]

Chinese military used 34 planes on Tuesday to ship 11,420 soldiers into the quake-jolted Sichuan Province for relief work, according to a military official on Tuesday night.

The General Staff Department of People's Liberation Army (PLA) used 22 military transporters and 12 passenger aircraft from six major airlines for the transfer.

Related: Sichuan Earthquake Death Toll Reaches 12,012

The planes conducted 79 flights from 8 a.m., said Qian Zehong, an officer in charge of the air transportation of the relief mission.

The 11,420 infantry and parachute troops were carried from Luoyang, Kaifeng and Wuhan, all major cities in central China to four nearby airports of Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, he said.

Weather were unfavorable for the flights, but the readiness of the military, well-prepared ground work before the flights and quick response of both the army and civil aviation companies contributed to the transfer, said Qian.

Soldiers help a wounded survivor to safe place at the earthquake-hit Beichuan County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 13, 2008. Beichuan County is badly damaged in Monday's quake, with great numbers of buildings collapsed and landslides around the county. [Photo: Xinhua]

Relief troops prepare to board planes at an airport in Kaifeng, capital of central China's Henan Province, on May 13, 2008. Chinese authorities have dispatched batches of relief troops to join in disaster relief efforts after a major earthquake jolted southwest China's Sichuan Province Monday afternoon. [Xinhua Photo]

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Editor: Shanna Chu