7600 special unit troops deployed

The Ministry of Public Security has sent over 7,600 special unit soldiers to help with relief and rescue in Chengdu and Mianyang.

The special unit troops include public security soldiers, firefighters and medical rescue personnel. They come from seven cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and Shijiazhuang.

They've been outfitted with equipment for communications, search and rescue, lighting and demolition. They also have individual protection suits and camping equipment. Ministry officials say the relief efforts are on an unprecedented scale.