Earthquake in NZ

[Men At Work]

Poor sods appear to be copping it again as Christchurch takes a hammering. Looks like a lot of damage

http://twitpic.com/42dql0
http://yfrog.com/h79togj

[busker]

yep, felt it quite strongly here in Dunedin - hope everyone is ok in Christchurch - reports sound bad

[mrgins]

oh crap, not again!

[Men At Work]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...22/3145320.htm

A powerful earthquake has struck the New Zealand city of Christchurch bringing down buildings and buckling roads, with reports of deaths and serious injuries.

The US Geological Survey says the quake was 6.3 in magnitude and struck five kilometres from the city at a shallow depth of just four kilometres.

It says the quake hit shortly before 12:50pm (local time), just five kilometres to the north-west of the city.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as "horrendous".

"There has been a lot of damage, our TVs have been smashed and there are big cracks in the house. Neighbours have lost brick fences," said Nicholas Hextall, who lives in central Christchurch.

ABC journalist Emma Pollard is in Christchurch and said the quake lasted for around 30 seconds to a minute.

She described hearing glass smashing and people screaming outside and said most of the historic buildings in the central part of Christchurch she walked through had been reduced to rubble.

The ABC's New Zealand correspondent, Dominique Schwartz, said the quake brought down facades and buildings, and has created flooding in main streets due to burst water mains.

All phone lines to the city on the South Island are down and Orion Energy says large parts of the city appear to be without power.

Pictures show cars that have been crushed by bricks and parts of buildings. Christchurch Cathedral has been badly damaged with the spire lying next to the church.

The hospital has also been damaged and is reported to have been evacuated.

A New Zealand Herald reporter says the quake lasted for about a minute and was extremely violent.

Many people are now out on the streets.

TV NZ is reporting that the Christchurch police station has been evacuated.

Twitter users have reported feeling the quake in Wellington and Dunedin.

Christchurch was struck by a major 7.1-magnitude earthquake in September last year. That quake was felt through much of the South Island and caused widespread damage.

The region has been struck by thousands of aftershocks since the original quake.

New Zealand, which sits between the Pacific and Indo-Australian tectonic plates, records on average more than 14,000 earthquakes a year, of which about 20 would normally top magnitude 5.0.

[Men At Work]

The geo-block has been lifted from the streaming TV news: http://www.abc.net.au/news/abcnews24/

[PeterH]

All the best to our friends out there. These aftershocks go on for ages. We have had five recently a year after.

Looking at that video, why the feck is that main trying to sweep the street?

[GodstoneEagle]

geoblocked here

[hughff]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4688231/Death...stchurch-quake

A large quake has struck Christchurch, with deaths confirmed and widespread destruction.

Witnesses said there were buildings down all around Cathedral Square in the city, with the church destroyed.

Police said two buses had been crushed by falling debris. The airport was closed after its tower had collapsed.
Witnesses said there were reports of people being trapped in buildings across the city.

The quake was slightly smaller than the September quake but much nearer the surface and is more devastating.

There are at least 3 BBSers there: NZsparky, Te Pouakai and (even though he ahsn't posted for a while) Jackslipper. I'm sure we all hope they're ok. Best wishes guys.

[PeterH]

Indeed Hugh.

[hughff]

TV news here in NZ are saying that there are "multiple fatalities." There have been a handful of aftershocks ranging from magnitude 3.5 to over 5.

There are fires too.

[busker]

have felt some of the bigger after shocks down here too - I imagine it will be some time before any of our guys in Christchurch can communicate with us, but all the best to you and your families

[welshneil]

NZSparky told me a while back they'd had literally thousands of shocks in a real short time. I just texted him, hope I get a reply soon.

[busker]

phones are down and people are being told not to use them to keep channels open for emergency services

[busker]

residents being asked to leave the city - CHC guys pm if there is anything we can do

[hughff]

Some recent updates:
4.05 pm: United States Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell is understood to be safe.

4.01 pm: The Dean of the Cathedral, Peter Beck, says he had no idea how many people were inside the church.

He says they tried to get out as many people as they could but it was now in the hands of emergency services. "It doesn't look good".

3.51 pm: Christchurch hospital is functioning but only people with major injuries should head there..

"Mostly those brought in by emergency services but some people may find their own way here," says Chief Medical Officer of the Canterbury District Health Board Nigel Miller.

He says people with other injuries should head to other medical centres or GPs.

3.50 pm: Police confirm multiple fatalities have been reported at several locations in the central city, including two buses crushed by falling buildings.

A doctor and emergency services are attending.

3.49 pm: Bodies have been seen being taken out of the damaged YHA hostel in the city.

[Oisin]

CNN here are streaming TV3 from NZ, it looks trashed. There must be fatalities. Horrible

[PeterH]

This seems much worse than the previous one.

[hughff]

4.35 pm Deputy Prime Minister Bill English says he is still unable to confirm reports of fatalities.

4.31 pm: Deputy Prime Minister Bill English says reports are flowing in of serious injuries and loss of life.

He confirmed that Christchurch mayor Bob Parker has declared a state of emergency and there was deep concern at the devastation.

[Asagaya_Eagle]

When I saw the news this morning (albeit briefly), I got the impression that this one was much smaller than the last one. Didn't realise it was so bad.

Best wishes to all local BBSers & families.

[hughff]

4.48 pm: Civil defence director John Hamilton has confirmed there have been fatalities and says next of kin have to be notified and victims identified.