Military officers held a meeting on Tuesday night on rescue operations after the deadly earthquake. [Photo: thepaper.cn]

The Western Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has activated an emergency response and is ready for rescue operations after a deadly earthquake hit southwest China's Sichuan Province.

A total of 33 people carrying communication facilities including maritime satellites are rushing to Jiuzhaigou County, the epicenter of the 7.0-magnitude earthquake.

The quake has claimed at least 5 lives and injured over 60 others.

In addition, 11 helicopters and more than 40 vehicles are ready for rescue operations.

Military medical organizations around Chengdu, capital of Sichuan, are preparing medicines, plasma and medical equipment for rescue work.

The China Earthquake Administration said 107 aftershocks have been detected and there are possibilities of quakes around 6-magnitude in the coming days.