Helicopter, bodies found in China quake zone
Posted: 10 June 2008 1518 hrs

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BEIJING: A military helicopter that crashed in southwest China 11 days ago during earthquake rescue operations was found on Tuesday, along with the bodies of all 19 passengers, state media said.

The Mi-171 transport helicopter was found just northwest of the town of Yingxiu in mountainous Sichuan province, China News Service reported.

The helicopter, manned by five crew members, went missing on May 31 during a mission to evacuate 14 people who had been injured in the May 12 earthquake which devastated large areas of Sichuan.

The bodies of all 19 on board were found, Xinhua news agency said.

The helicopter appeared to have broken up upon impact, with parts including the propeller and airframe found scattered in the bushes, it said.

China Central Television said the helicopter was found at an altitude of 2,800 metres (9,200 feet) above sea level.

Searchers had been plagued by fog and overcast weather in their attempts to find the missing chopper in the rugged, forested mountainous area, earlier reports said.

Thousands of soldiers were mobilised for the ground search operation. - AFP/ac