'Deaths' after quake hits Christchurch in New Zealand

[Gerald]

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

[Feuer Frei!]

Yea, saw this on the news here today, not good.

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by Feuer Frei!

Yea, saw this on the news here today, not good.

No good news

[the_tyrant]

Christchurch is a beautiful place.
Hope everyone's all right

[frau kaleun]

Many good thoughts going out in that direction.

[Feuer Frei!]

Originally Posted by Vendor

No good news

Pardon?

[kiwi_2005]

At least 17 dead.

Since the first quake to hit Christchurch back in September 2010 there has been small aftershocks every couple of weeks. Warning signs. A big one was going to hit that city again sure enough it did.

Update: Radio says 67 dead

[Castout]

The depth is very very shallow. When one large one hits and you're in a building try to get out ASAP.

But if it is a strong quake people may find it very difficult to run away or even standing.

The safest is always to get out of building every time one started imo
I know experts would probably advise to find safe cover but imo out in the open will still be far safer.

[kiwi_2005]

Originally Posted by Castout

The depth is very very shallow. When one large one hits and you're in a building try to get out ASAP.

But if it is a strong quake people may find it very difficult to run away or even standing.

The safest is always to get out of building every time one started imo
I know experts would probably advise to find safe cover but imo out in the open will still be far safer.

Even a small quake can be hard to run away. I experience a quake about 15yrs ago we were outside in the paddock when it struck the ground beneath our feet became waves it was like a moving ocean of grass and dirt, wasn't very big and lasted maybe 20-30seconds. It knocked us all off our feet when you tried to move you just fell over again.

[Castout]

Originally Posted by kiwi_2005

Even a small quake can be hard to run away. I experience a quake about 15yrs ago we were outside in the paddock when it struck the ground beneath our feet became waves it was like a moving ocean of grass and dirt, wasn't very big and lasted maybe 20-30seconds. It knocked us all off our feet when you tried to move you just fell over again.

Indeed.

I've felt one or two very small ones. The building seemed to be moving. Then we could still walk or even ran out.

I've felt a far stronger one but there was no vertical movement then just the ground rapidly moving to all kind of directions but vertical as if a giant was playing with the ground. People got scared even just standing and quickly knelt down with hands on the floor until it was all over.

Vertical movements or wavy movements during earthquake are probably the most dangerous force of them all. Buildings are not designed to withstand vertical ground movement .

I'm sorry for those who lost their lives in Christchurch. It was just nature . . . . . and we are still very much vulnerable to its mercy. It probably would be best if the whole town moved to safer spot. Earth core is getting more active. Volcanoes are erupting everywhere so we should expect earthquakes to happen more frequent as the plates move a little bit faster.

[Gerald]

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

[papa_smurf]

Saw about this on the morning news, not looking good at all.

[bookworm_020]

75 confirmed dead, over a hundred still believed trapped. Many of the building were damaged in a large earthquake back in September. When this one hit, they couldn't take the strain and went down.

The toll was also increased due to the fact this quake happened during the day in business hours. The September quake, while stronger, happened at night.

My thoughts are with those "across the ditch" and hope that the death toll will not rise any further.

[Jimbuna]

Their having absolutely no luck over there at the moment....hoping the recovery is rapid and successful.

[Feuer Frei!]

My deepest condolences to those affected.