The first batch of 47 injured were evacuated from Wenchuan county, epicenter of the deadly earthquake, to Sichuan provincial capital of Chengdu by helicopter.

They are to receive medical treatment in the Huaxi Hospital, the largest hospital in Chengdu.

The second, larger batch, has also arrived at Chengdu, according to a report on Sichuan TV, which didn't say how many people are in the batch.

More than 800 soldiers have arrived at the county seat of Wenchuan, and some 600 people, including soldiers and medical workers, are to be sent to the Yingxiu county of Wenchuan on Wednesday.

A temporary dock has been set up at the Zipingpu reservoir in Dujiangyan, about 100 kilometers from the epicenter.

"The voyage from the dock to the Yingxiu takes 50 minutes, four hours faster than by land, whose route is hampered by landslides," said a reporter surnamed Shen with the China Central Television.

About a dozen ships are in operation, each carrying 12 people.

Rescuers have to cover the distance from Yingxiu to the county seat on foot after the voyage.

Three Xinhua reporters arrived at Yingxiu by soldiers' boat, and another got there by helicopter. They were the first journalists on the scene.

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2008)