Military rescue operations underway after deadly Sichuan quake

A military transport plane Y-9 prepares to take off for an aerial photography mission over the earthquake-hit region in Southwest China's Sichuan Province on Aug. 9, 2017. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Ground and air forces from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Western Theater Command are carrying out relief operations following a deadly earthquake in southwest China's Sichuan Province Tuesday.

A total of 1,285 soldiers, 90 vehicles and 9 aircraft have been dispatched to the affected area, while more forces are on standby awaiting confirmation of casualties and damage.

All-out efforts are being made to rescue the injured as this is the current focus of the operations, the Western Theater Command said.

The PLA Central Theater Command also participated in the rescue work. Two IL-76 planes from the theater command transported 88 national earthquake rescuers, 5 sniffer dogs and rescue equipment to Huanglong airport in Jiuzhaigou County on Wednesday.

The earthquake hit Jiuzhaigou at 9:19 p.m. Tuesday at a depth of 20 kilometers, leaving at least 19 dead and 247 injured, including 40 in serious condition, according to local authorities.