BEIJING - The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has airdropped supplies to survivors in quake-hit Lushan county in Southwest China's Sichuan province, the PLAAF headquarters said Tuesday.

A group of helicopters affiliated to an air force division finished seven airdrop operations and four transport missions on Tuesday, delivering 17.1 tons of relief supplies to the area, including bottled water, instant noodles and other food.

Baosheng township, Lushan county, lacks an appropriate helipad, which prompted the airdrops, the PLAAF headquarters said.

As of 8:00 pm Monday, the division's helicopters had sent 245 rescue workers to the quake-hit area and transferred 14 injured people.