65 Dead in New Zealand's Earthquake, Rescuers to Work Overnight

World | February 22, 2011, Tuesday // 17:31
Bulgaria: 65 Dead in New Zealand's Earthquake, Rescuers to Work Overnight An earthquake damaged building in Christchurch, New Zealand, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Rescuers will search overnight for survivors of the 6.3-magnitude earthquake, which hit New Zealand's city of Christchurch on Tuesday and claimed the lives of at least 65 people.

The mayor of Christchurch, Bob Parker, said that more than 100 people are feared buried in collapsed buildings, the BBC reported.

The earthquake hit at a shallow depth of 5 km at 12:51 pm local time, followed 10 minutes later by a 5.6-magnitude aftershock. A couple of hours later four more aftershocks have shaken the city, ranging in magnitude from 3.4 to 5.5, the New Zealand Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences reported.

This is the country's second quake in six months and worst natural disaster in 80 years, the BBC informed.

The Christchurch mayor has declared a state of emergency and has ordered the evacuation of the central parts of the city.

Rescue teams have been toiling under floodlights to reach survivors. Emergency shelters have been set up at the city's Hagley Park, a race course, schools and community halls.

The New Zealand Herald reported that the quake knocked out phone lines, including the city's emergency 111 service. The temblor cracked roads and broke water mains, flooding several streets. About 80 percent of the city lost power.

"We paid a very heavy price here. We could be looking down the barrel at New Zealand's darkest day," the country's PM John Key said.

In the aftermath of the disaster, shocked survivors wandered streets strewn with debris, including shattered glass, broken computers and desks.

According to the police, the dead included people on two buses, which were crushed by falling buildings.

Queen Elizabeth II, who is also New Zealand's head of state, said in a statement that she had been "utterly shocked" by the news.

"My thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this dreadful event," the statement said.

Even though the earthquake on Tuesday was weaker than the 7.1-magnitude quake on September 4, it is far worse. In September, two people were seriously injured but there were no fatalities.

New Zealand experiences more than 14,000 earthquakes a year, of which only around 20 have a magnitude in excess of 5.0.

Tuesday's was the country's worst natural disaster since a 1931 quake in the Hawke's Bay on the North Island which killed 256 people.

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Tags: New Zealand, Earthquake, Christchurch, Queen Elizabeth II

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