New Zealand earthquake 'multiple fatalities'

**genghis61** · 22-02-2011, 08:51 AM

Deaths in Christchurch quake
BREAKING12:57 PM Tuesday Feb 22, 2011

There have been 'multiple fatalities' after a shallow 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch this afternoon caused buildings to collapse, police have confirmed.

Police said fatalities had been reported at several locations and that two buses had been crushed by falling buildings.

Christchurch resident Jane Smith, who works in the central city, told the Herald a work colleague had just returned from helping rescue efforts after a building facade had collapsed on a bus on Colombo St.

"There's people dead. He was pulling them out of a bus. Colombo St is completely munted."

Police said there were reports of fires in buildings in the central city and of people being trapped.

All available police staff were helping with the rescue operation and the Defence Force had been called in to assist.

Shallow quake
GNS Science said the quake was centred at Lyttelton at a depth of 5km at 12.51pm.

GNS said the earthquake would have caused more damage than the original 7.1 earthquake on September 4 because of its shallow depth.

Its data centre manager Kevin Fenaughty said residents said the quake's epicentre was located in the "worst possible location" for the city.

"It's a nightmare. A lot of people were just getting back on their feet after the original quake."

Another earthquake of 4.5 struck at 1.21pm, 10 km east of Diamond Harbour.

Streets flooded

Herald reporter Jarrod Booker said the shake lasted approximately a minute and was extremely violent - rocking buildings back and forth.

He said people had left buildings and were out on the streets where tarmac had cracked and water mains had burst, causing extensive flooding.

Tuam Street had become a river as water poured from ruptures in the road and was impassable in places.

The whole central city was in grid lock as people tried to evacuate central businesses to check their homes, Jarrod Booker said.

Most traffic lights are out and cars were also having to negotiate around hordes of people on foot.

Jarrod Booker said that he could hear sirens but that it would be difficult for emergency services to access the city because of the gridlock.

"Even sitting in a car you can feel continual shaking on a smaller scale than the original quake," he said.

Thread on last year's (September) earthquake here (Quake shakes up Christchurch)

**StrontiumDog** · 22-02-2011, 09:03 AM

New Zealand: Earthquake In Christchurch Causes Multiple Deaths After 6.3 Magnitude Quake | World News | Sky News

'People Dead' In New Zealand Earthquake

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake has caused "multiple fatalities" in the southern New Zealand city of Christchurch, according to police.

A number of buildings collapsed in the earthquake

Those killed include the occupants of two buses that were crushed by falling debris.

"Multiple fatalities have been reported at several locations in the central city, including two buses crushed by falling buildings," police said in a statement.

"Other reports include multiple building collapses, fires in buildings in the central (city) and persons reported trapped in buildings."

Early reports said parts of buildings had collapsed into the streets, which were strewn with bricks and shattered concrete.

Pavements and roads were cracked and split, and hundreds of dazed, screaming and crying residents wandered through the streets as sirens blared throughout the city.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said he was on the top floor of the city council building when the quake hit just before 1pm local time, throwing him across the room.

"I got down onto the street and there were scenes of great confusion, a lot of very upset people," he said.

"I know of people in our building who are injured and I've had some reports of serious injuries throughout the city."

Radio New Zealand reported a church near the city centre collapsed.

The airport was closed and Christchurch Hospital was evacuated. Power and telephone lines were knocked out, and pipes burst, flooding the streets with water.

Some cars apparently parked on the street were buried under rubble.

The US Geological Survey said the centre of the quake was three miles from the city at a relatively shallow depth of 2.5 miles.

A 5.6-magnitude aftershock hit shortly after seven miles east of the city at a depth of 3.7 miles.

City councilman Barry Corbett said: "When the shaking had stopped I looked out of the window, which gives a great view onto Christchurch, and there was just dust.

"It was evident straight away that a lot of buildings had gone."

Christchurch has been hit by hundreds of aftershocks since a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck in September.

That quake caused no deaths, but the city was still repairing the extensive damage.

**hawaiianbrian** · 22-02-2011, 09:11 AM

What a shame. Christchurch was a lovely city, I've had the pleasure of visiting there several times when I was enroute to Antarctica and enjoyed myself every time. Friendly, down to earth people, I wish them the best.

**genghis61** · 22-02-2011, 09:17 AM

full update list here - a few below

Flights in New Zealand are not taking off in the wake of today's 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch. Auckland Airport spokesman Richard Llewellyn said the airways system around the country was closed shortly after the earthquake. "For the moment planes are landing but no planes are departing,'' he told NZPA. "The national air traffic control centre is in Christchurch, and they are checking to make sure it is all okay, and until then the airways system has been closed." Air New Zealand says flights in and out of Christchurch have been cancelled until at least 7pm. So far, four international flights have been diverted to Wellington Airport

Ministry of Foreign Affairs MFAT says people in Australia with fears for relatives can call: 1300 555 135

Speaking to media at the Beehive's National Crisis Centre, Director of Civil Defence John Hamilton said a response plan was now being put together using all available national resources. "That includes extra fire people, extra police personnel, assets from the Defence Forces. International offers of assistance are coming through from Australia in particular."

TV3 is reporting up to 200 people may be inside the Pyne Gould Guinness building and screams can be heard from inside.

**genghis61** · 22-02-2011, 09:25 AM

Ancient Future and phunphin two BMs who live there, hope you and yours are all ok

**genghis61** · 22-02-2011, 10:00 AM

TV3 is running live coverage at this link http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/3NewsLi...6/Default.aspx

Rescue workers frantically try to find those trapped inside the Pyne Gould Corporation building.

LATEST: A number of people are dead and scores trapped after a large quake struck Christchurch this afternoon.

Police said two buses had been crushed by falling debris, while witnesses said screams could be heard coming from the Pyne Gould Business building where up to 150 people were feared trapped.

**Lancelot** · 22-02-2011, 11:17 AM

Sorry for the NZ's people misfortune. Their emergency services seem to be highly organized and thank god for that...

**harrybarracuda** · 22-02-2011, 11:35 AM

The damage looks very bad.

Tried to paste map, but it's a bit blurred.

All the technical info here:

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquak...11/usb0001igm/

**Loy Toy** · 22-02-2011, 11:38 AM

Terrible news and I hope that all our Kiwi member's families are safe and well.

**genghis61** · 22-02-2011, 12:05 PM

'Significant hotels' collapsed

LATEST: Civil Defence Minister John Carter says he understood a number of "significant hotels" had collapsed in Christchurch. But it was not clear how many people were in the buildings at the time.

Carter said it wouldn't be "prudent or proper for us to speculate at this stage" on numbers of fatalities.

He said reports of damage were focused on Christchurch city rather than outlying areas right now.

Deputy Prime Minister Bill English confirmed the Government would be discussing offers of international assistance this evening. That included offers from the United States and there was expertise in Japan.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard had also offered further search and rescue personnel, which has been accepted.

***********

5.32 pm: The Christchurch Cathedral in the centre of the city is destroyed, TVNZ has reported.

Latest info

5.32pm: Fire fighters are battling blazes in the central city while Christchurch Hospital prepares for hundreds of casualties.

People are reportedly people trapped inside the Canterbury Television building. Search and Rescue staff with dogs are at the building, and monsoon buckets are also being used to fight fires.

************

Australian search team on its way

Australia has sent a 40-strong search and rescue team to Christchurch to help.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard told parliament: ‘‘There is likely to be a lot of searching to do under the rubble.’’

While details remained sketchy, authorities on the ground in Christchurch were reporting ''multiple fatalities''.

Ms Gillard said the images streaming out of Christchurch were ''truly shocking''.

**harrybarracuda** · 22-02-2011, 12:12 PM

Reported death toll up to 17.

**harrybarracuda** · 22-02-2011, 12:16 PM

Looks like a well rehearsed emergency services response, but they've run out of ambulances and are asking for people to lend their SUVs and other large vehicles.

Also asking for blood donations unsurprisingly.

Rescue efforts are being hampered by underground water and silt flooding the surface.

**Norton** · 22-02-2011, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by genghis61

A number of people are dead and scores trapped after a large quake struck Christchurch this afternoon.

Let's hope the number of dead are few. Seems rescue efforts are well organized and underway so many lives will be saved.

I'm seeing many different magnitude numbers. Not huge but quake reported as occurring near earth surface so more impact. Conducting rescue effort is immediate order of business but serious questions have to be asked about why relatively modern buildings collapsed. This should not have happened if proper earth quake design and construction measures where taken.

**harrybarracuda** · 22-02-2011, 12:23 PM

New Zealand PM reports 65 fatalities. How sad, and this is bound to rise.

Norton, the actual technical details of the quake are in post #8.

**genghis61** · 22-02-2011, 12:43 PM

65 dead in devastating Christchurch quake
Last updated 18:19 22/02/2011

The Baptist Church on Madras St

LATEST: Sixty-five people are confirmed dead and scores more are injured or missing after a powerful earthquake today destroyed Christchurch buildings and left entire suburbs "unliveable".

Prime Minister John Key tonight said "we may be witnessing New Zealand's darkest day" in confirming that at least 65 people were dead after a shallow 6.3 earthquake hit 10km southeast of the city just before 1pm. That quake has been followed by constant aftershocks, some as powerful as magnitude 5.

Rescuers said some people would remain trapped in buildings overnight.

Up to 500 people have set up for the night in Hagley Park, where they will be spending the night.

Hospitals around the South Island were being cleared to take the hundreds of casualties expected, while makeshift hospitals were being set up in parts of Christchurch.

The suburbs of Lyttleton and new Brighton are reportedly "unliveable".

Witnesses said screams could be heard coming from the Pyne Gould Business building where dozens of people were feared trapped.

A number of people were also trapped in the iconic Press building in Cathedral Square. Some had managed to free themselves.

People died when buses were crushed under falling building facades radio NZ reported.

**StrontiumDog** · 22-02-2011, 05:20 PM

Latest news, comment and reviews from the Guardian | guardian.co.uk

A man runs for cover. The mayor of Christchurch, Bob Parker, has declared a state of emergency and ordered people to evacuate the city centre
Photograph: Martin Hunter/Getty Images

Cars teeter on the top floor of a damaged car park. Many cars were buried under the rubble after the quake struck
Photograph: Martin Hunter/Getty Images

A man holds a child in his arms after the earthquake struck Christchurch
Photograph: Iain Mcgregor/Reuters

A man is seen after being pulled from the rubble. Search and rescue teams are working through the night to find survivors
Photograph: Iain McGregor/Reuters

Debris litters central Christchurch after it was struck by the 6.3 magnitude earthquake
Photograph: Mark Mitchell/AP

People break windows to prepare to be rescued from a high-rise building
Photograph: AP

People walk through debris in the aftermath of the earthquake in Christchurch
Photograph: Logan Mcmillan/AFP/Getty Images

Rescue workers work to extinguish a fire at a collapsed building in central Christchurch
Photograph: Mark Mitchell/AP

Two women console each other in front of a collapsed building
Photograph: /Reuters

**Mid** · 22-02-2011, 05:26 PM

Thailand seeks news of thousands of citizens in Christchurch
Feb 22, 2011

Bangkok - Thailand dispatched embassy officials to Christchurch Tuesday to offer assistance to an estimated 2,000 Thai nationals residing in the earthquake-hit New Zealand city.

'There are about 8,000 Thais living in New Zealand, of whom about 2,000 are in Christchurch,' Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongpakdi said.

'We have no reports of Thai casualties yet but we're sending Thai embassy officials to the city to check on our nationals and offer any assistance,' Thani said.

New Zealand is a popular destination for Thai students.

Christchurch was hit by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake early Tuesday that has claimed at least 65 lives.

monstersandcritics.com

**phunphin** · 22-02-2011, 05:35 PM

we are safe, but many many are not, it was a mother of a shake, the burning wreakage is the CTV (local tv ) building.
central city is locked down and it's raining as I write. alot of people have been pulled out alive.

80 people still missing...

**dirtydog** · 22-02-2011, 05:38 PM

**aging one** · 22-02-2011, 05:45 PM

Major market for Thai kids education in Christchurch. I know that Government schools often have contracts with schools there at the Matayom level. In my kids class one kid was there for 7 years, and sadly they have one friend there now who they cant get in touch with.

**phunphin** · 22-02-2011, 05:51 PM

most lanauge schools are in the city centre.. also be aware power and phones are still out in the city centre.
just had big aftershock.12.03 am , can ecpect more of them.
http://www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/...nt_quakes.html

**genghis61** · 22-02-2011, 06:34 PM

9.24pm
Twelve Japanese students from a foreign language school have been reported missing in the rubble of a Christchurch building.

The Sankei Shimbun newspaper said two Japanese teachers and nine students were rescued, but 12 students from were missing in the Peterborough St building. They are from Toyama city.

NNN television news network has quoted Toyama city authorities as saying that three of the rescued students have been taken to hospital, one in a serious condition.

Latest updates : Christchurch earthquake (+ map) - National - NZ Herald News

**phunphin** · 23-02-2011, 04:34 AM

Google Maps

maps image of ctv building that has collasped (may require plugin )

**phunphin** · 23-02-2011, 05:30 AM

latest toll is unconfirmed 75 dead ..dozens still trapped under rubble.

**peterpan** · 23-02-2011, 07:25 AM

there is some good news, at least for my family, my Sister in law who worked in the Press building has now been located in hospital, broken legs but OK.

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