A national urban search and rescue training center for Northeast China has officially started operations in Shenyang, Liaoning Daily reported Wednesday.

It employs 172 elite soldiers and runs advanced facilities, including an all-terrain vehicle and a first-aid vehicle.

Another seven national urban search and rescue training centers are under construction in other parts of China.

The main purpose of the centers is to provide emergency rescue and relief training to rescuers at the scenes of disasters and accidents.