Marines involved in disaster-relief efforts in Leyte, Philippines, rescued nine Taiwanese rescuers who became trapped in the landslide area yesterday morning, the military said.

Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit out of Okinawa used two Sea Knight helicopters to save a team of Taiwan relief workers who were conducting search-and-rescue operations at two locations, including the site of a school inundated by the mudslide.

At one location, seven rescuers trying to retrieve a body became trapped in deep mud. Philippine Army Maj. Gen. Bonifacio Ramos asked for help from two Marine helicopters unloading supplies.

One helicopter picked up the trapped rescuers, as well as the body they recovered. Later, the second Sea Knight rescued two other relief workers trapped in deep mud.