Media Release
21 December 2007
12:45am

Damage being assessed from Gisborne earthquake

Damage assessments continue and will do so throughout the night in response to the magnitude 6.8 (MM8) earthquake which occurred at 20:55 hours on the 20/12/2007.

There was no tsunami threat as a result of the earthquake.

A civil defence emergency is likely to be declared at the local level.

Minor injuries have been reported and are being treated accordingly. There are no reported deaths.

There are reports of building damage in the CBD area of Gisborne. Therefore the CBD will be closed whilst engineering assessments are undertaken. Gisborne hospital is 100% structurally sound and fully operational.

There does not appear to be damage to transport links and Gisborne airport has been inspected and is operational.

The Director of the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management, John Hamilton, said that the National Crisis Management Centre has been activated to monitor the situation in Gisborne and assess if government assistance is required.

ENDS

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