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

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)