Chinese soldiers rescue 1,200, treat 8,700 injured

YUSHU, Qinghai, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Soldiers from the Chinese People's Liberation Army(PLA) have rescued 1,200 people and treated more than 8,700 injured in the quake zone as of 12:00 a.m. Saturday, according to PLA quake-relief headquarters.

Rescuers search for quake survivors in Gyegu Town, northwest China's Qinghai Province, on April 17, 2010. Rescuers are going all-out to save lives in quake-hit Qinghai Province, even as the critical first 72 hours for rescuing survivors has passed. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

A spokesperson for the PLA quake-relief headquarters said in its first press conference held here that more than 12,300 soldiers had been sent to the quake zone and more than 11,300 had arrived to carry out rescue operations.