Searchers have found the military transport helicopter which crashed while carrying out earthquake relief work in southwestern China ten days ago.

Chinese soldiers set out to join the search for a downed military transport helicopter in Yingxiu township, Wenchuan county, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 6, 2008. Increasing number of troops, mobilized paramilitary personnel are being dispatched to expand the area of search and multiple technological means have been deployed to locate the Mi-171 chopper from the People's Liberation Army that disappeared on May 31 on a quake rescue mission. (Xinhua Photo)

Debris of the Mi-171 helicopter was spotted in the bushes, in mountains near the quake epicenter township of Yingxiu this (Tuesdsay) morning. A crew of five military personnel and 14 quake victims on board were all found dead. The helicopter was broken up with parts including the propeller, and airframe found scattered in the bushes. It went down while transferring the injured locals from the epicenter. The chopper was reported to have encountered strong turbulence and fog.

President Hu Jintao has expressed his deep condolences to the relatives of the victims from the crashed helicopter. He has also expressed his thanks to army officers, militia and reservists involved in the search and rescue operations.

(CCTV June 10, 2008)