Beijing  - Search and rescue troops have Tuesday found the wreckage of a military helicopter that crashed 10 days ago in the earthquake zone of south-west China, local media reported.

The crash site is in the mountains near Yingxiu in Sichuan province, Xinhua news agency reported, citing military sources.

According to earlier reports 19 people were on board, five crew and 14 passengers, when the helicopter crashed in foggy conditions on May 31.

The helicopter had carried epidemic prevention experts to quake-hit Li county, and was returning with people too seriously injured to be moved by land, Xinhua reported.

Thousands of soldiers have been searching the mountainous region for the wreckage. (dpa)