A strong earthquake kills at least 65 people in New Zealand's second-biggest city of Christchurch, with more casualties expected as rescuers work into the night to find people trapped inside collapsed buildings.
It was the second quake to hit the city of almost 400,000 people in five months, and New Zealand's most deadly natural disaster for 80 years.
"We may well be witnessing New Zealand's darkest day...The death toll I have at the moment is 65 and that may rise," said New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, who had flown to his home town of Christchurch, where he still has family.
The 6.3 magnitude quake struck at lunchtime, when streets and shops thronged with people and offices were still occupied.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...71L04320110222
Note: Update Record,WELLINGTON | Tue Feb 22, 2011