Search operation on for crashed helicopter

BEIJING, June 2 (UPI) -- Military and civilian personnel Monday searched for a crashed military helicopter involved in quake relief work in China.

The helicopter was carrying civilian and a five-person crew from Chendu Military Area Command when it crashed during the weekend on a return flight from Yingxiu Township in Sichuan Province, reported Xinhua, the official Chinese news agency.

The military deployed 1,240 troopers for a blanket search of possible crash sites and sent four helicopters to look for the wreckage.

The helicopter went down in a mountainous region, making the search and rescue mission difficult, a source told Xinhua.

The crew had completed 63 flights, transferring nearly 26 tons of relief materials, 87 relief workers and 234 victims since the May 12 quake.