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Nine Chinese experts on Thursday set out for Italy from Shanghai to help the worst coronavirus-hit country in Europe battle the outbreak, CGTN reported. 

The plane took off from the Shanghai Pudong International Airport on Thursday afternoon, carrying 31 tons of medical materials, including equipment for intensive care and medical protection materials.

The expert group was led by a vice president of the Red Cross Society of China and an expert from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Five other experts from Sichuan Province were also appointed to participate.

The five experts includes two medical experts from West China Hospital of Sichuan University. They will first fly to Shanghai Wednesday evening, then Italy soon after.

Liang Zong An, director of the Department of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine of the hospital, said they will mainly provide professional guidance after they arrive in Italy, especially to those in critical conditions.

"The mortality rate in Italy is high, particularly among the elderly," he said. "The medical systems of China and Italy might be different, and our experience may not be entirely suitable for them. But when it comes to emergency treatment methods, there are commonalities."

Meanwhile, Tang Menglin, head nurse of the Pediatric Section at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the hospital, said they will also share their experience in treating critical patients in the ICU.