Nearly 17,000 soldiers mobilized for disaster relief efforts

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Source: CCTV.com | 05-13-2008 12:13

Nearly 17,000 soldiers have been mobilized for disaster relief efforts. Because of damage to roads, about 100 armed police officers are forced to walk more than seven hours to reach the quake's epicenter. And a rescue team of 227 military medical staff and seismologists have arrived in Dujiangyan City.

Nearly 17,000 soldiers have been mobilized for disaster  relief efforts.

In Dujiangyan, the ten-storey Traditional Chinese Medicine Institute collapsed, burying patients and doctors.

Using their hands, troops work to pull the victims out without further injuring them.

Reports say 20 military planes will be sent to transport soldiers and armed police to quake-hit areas.

An additional 34,000 soldiers sent by the Jinan and Chengdu military area commands are making their way to the quake zone. Helicopters are also being sent to help rescue and relief efforts.

Premier Wen Jiabao has ordered the immediate clearing of barriers on roads to provide access to the earthquake's epicenter.