Rescue teams from Russia and the Republic of Korea (ROK) arrived in Chengdu, capital of the quake-hit Sichuan Province in southwest China on Friday to assist local disaster relief efforts.

The Russians sent two batches of 98 rescuers including experienced professionals and doctors, who brought sniffer dogs and professional equipment with them.

The first batch of 50 Russian rescuers headed for Mianzhu City soon after their arrival in Chengdu. The second group of Russian rescuers are expected to arrive in Chengdu on Saturday morning.

The ROK rescue team went to Shifang City after their arrival in Chengdu.

A group of Japanese earthquake rescuers have started working right after their arrival on early Friday at Qiaozhuang Township, seat of Qingchuan County, one of the worst-hit counties in Sichuan. The second batch of Japanese rescue professionals also arrived later on Friday.

(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2008)