Multiple deaths reported to police
breaking news updated 14:14

Multiple deaths reported to police | NATIONAL News

Published: 1:26PM Tuesday February 22, 2011 Source: ONE News

* Multiple deaths reported to police (Source: Twitter)
Damage shown after the 6.2 earthquake in Christchurch on 22nd of February 2011 - Source: Twitter
*
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o breaking news Live updates: Christchurch quake photos
o breaking news Photogallery: Christchurch quake

Multiple fatalities have been reported to police following the 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch this afternoon.

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

Emergency services are attending.

The central city is currently being evacuated as reports are received of widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure.

Other reports include multiple building collapses, fires in buildings in the central city and people have been reported trapped in buildings.

All available police staff are assisting with evacuations and emergency responses.

The Defence force has also been called in to assist.

The shock was at a depth of just 5km, centred 10km south-east of the city.

There are reports that Christchurch Cathedral has been badly damaged by the quake, though this is not confirmed.

Christchurch mayor Bob Parker said he was thrown across the room by the quake which was "very, very strong".

He said he knew of people injured and had unconfirmed reports of serious injuries.

Phone lines are down and electricity is out. Pipes have burst.

Christchurch Airport has closed.

"It felt more like a whole new earthquake to me," he told Radio New Zealand.

Labour leader Phil Goff tweeted: "Paintings falling down, plaster coming off of the walls, roof tiles falling down - scary stuff. Bigger than the last one."

Goff says all construction workers have been asked to go into the CBD to help with emergency support.

A mass evacuation is malls is reportedly underway.

Roads are jammed with people trying to get out of the CBD.

Vodafone is urging customers to avoid overloading the network with calls, asking them to text message instead.

There are reports of a substantial number of buildings damaged.

The quake has been felt as far away as Wellington.

__________________
"Patriotism means being loyal to your country all the time and to its government when it deserves it."-- Mark Twain

"Inter arma silent Musae"--when the weapons speak, the muses fall silent.

An't nanum hearm deth, doth hwaet ye willath.

It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished
unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets. -Voltaire

Economic Left/Right: -3.88
Authoritarian/Libertarian: -4.36

6.3 magnitude quake hits N.Zealand's Christchurch

(AFP) – 1 hour ago

AFP: 6.3 magnitude quake hits N.Zealand's Christchurch

WELLINGTON — A large 6.3 magnitude earthquake rocked New Zealand's Christchurch Tuesday, causing widespread damage in a city already recovering from a major quake in September last year.

Television footage showed panicked workers fleeing from offices after the quake, which the US Geological Survey said hit at 12:51pm (2351 GMT Monday) five kilometres (three miles) from the city at a depth of just four kilometres.

Christchurch airport was closed and police said they were evacuating the city centre.

Building frontages, already weakened by a 7.0 magnitude quake on September 4 collapsed onto the street, with witnesses saying there were people trapped inside.

Cars were buried under rubble and roads buckled as the tremor opened ruptures in the ground.

There were unconfirmed reports of injuries and that the local hospital had been evacuated.

"It was just unbelievable, it was so strong, nothing like I've ever experienced before, just horrible," local shopkeeper Julian Hogday told TV3.

Copyright © 2011 AFP. All rights reserved.

__________________
"Patriotism means being loyal to your country all the time and to its government when it deserves it."-- Mark Twain

"Inter arma silent Musae"--when the weapons speak, the muses fall silent.

An't nanum hearm deth, doth hwaet ye willath.

It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished
unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets. -Voltaire

Economic Left/Right: -3.88
Authoritarian/Libertarian: -4.36