Military sources say the transfer of the 18 victims in the crash of a helicopter used in a relief mission is underway. Transporting teams are trying to open up roads in the mountainous area.

Sichuan military quake relief headquarters say the black box voice recorder of the Mi-171 helicopter has been found, providing important clues for the analysis of the crash. The 18 victims, including the five crew members, were all identified Wednesday.

A moment of silence was observed at the scene before the bodies were put into bags.

The crash site is 7.5 kilometers away from Yingxiu Town, in a mountainous area with thick forest, making the operation rather difficult. Some valleys are so dense and steep it's almost impossible for even a single person to pass.

In order to remove the bodies to the foot of the mountain as quickly as possible, more than 100 people arrived at the crash site on Wednesday to clear the scene. More than 300 more people have deployed there to provide more materials for the rescue.

So far more than 1,300 people are participating in the transfer of the bodies, and a temporary helicopter pad might still need to be built. The soldiers are opening up roads to avoid passing some of the over 100-meters steep cliffs.

(CCTV.com June 13, 2008)