Brendan Burns, MP for Christchurch Central: "The situation is pretty desperate"
Multiple fatalities have been reported after a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch on New Zealand's South Island, police say.
The tremor, which hit at 1251 (2351 GMT on Monday) only 10km (6.2 miles) south-east of the city at a depth of 5km (3.1 miles), caused widespread destruction.
The fire service said numerous people were trapped in buildings, while the mayor said there was "great confusion".
The damage is said to be far worse than after September's 7.1-magnitude quake.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12533291
Note: 22 February 2011 Last updated at 03:05 GMT