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Serious Earthquake Hits Christchurch

This page was there breaking report of the Christchurch earthquake on 22/2/11. Continuing converage will be at Scoop Full Coverage: Christchurch Earthquake 22/2/11. See also the latest earthquake releases on Scoop and the scoop.co.nz frontpage.

A intense earthquake has hit Christchurch just before 1pm on the 22nd of Ferbruary 2001.

Official Helpline: 0800 779997

GNS initial estimates the 12:51 quake as 6.3 Richter Magnitude South of Christchurch at a 5km depth. This has been followed by many large aftershocks. [current earthquake drums, current recent earthquakes]

A police statement says there are reports of multiple fatalities at several locations in the central city, including two buses crushed by falling buildings.

There are reports of widespread damage and of building collapses, including the Cathedral spire. Buildings, including the airport, the hospital and the university have been evacuated.

[Civil Defence 3.30pm update notes the hospital is operational and the airport is open for emergency flights.]

For the injured, triage centres have been established for the injured at Latimer Square in the central city, Spotlight Mall in Sydenham and Sanitarium in Papanui.

Note that the NZ Blood Service reports that current blood supplies are sufficient and no new donors are required. The earthquake has caused power outages and broken water and sewer lines.

Mayor Bob Parker has declared a lcoal state of emergency.

There are reports all NZ airspace is closed due to damage at the Christchurch Airport tower air control base.

Landline and cellular phone service is intermittent. Phone users are encouraged not to overload phone lines with non-emergency calls. Text messages have been suggested.

Rolling coverage at NewsWire.co.nz

A Civil Defence advisory includes the following advice.

People in the affected area should:
• Expect aftershocks. Each time one is felt, drop, cover, and hold on.
• Check yourself first for injuries and get first aid if necessary before helping injured or trapped persons.
• Assess your home or workplace for damage. If the building appears unsafe get everyone out. Use the stairs, not an elevator and when outside, watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines. Stay out of damaged areas.
• Look for and extinguish small fires if it is safe to do so. Fire is a significant hazard following earthquakes.
• Listen to the radio for updated emergency information and instructions.
• Do not overload phone lines with non-emergency calls.
• Help people who require special assistance - infants, elderly people, those without transportation, families who may need additional help, people with disabilities, and the people who care for them.

Phone use should be restricted to emergency use for ALL OF NZ.

A personal account of the quake.

Christchurch Earthquake Photos

Christchurch Earthquake Photos 2

There was a ministerial statement on the earthquake before Parliamentary business was suspended today.

This earthquake follows the deeper 7.4 Earthquake hit Christchurch on September 4 and a number of aftershocks of magnitude near 5 since.

This page was there breaking report of the Christchurch earthquake on 22/2/11. Continuing converage will be at Scoop Full Coverage: Christchurch Earthquake 22/2/11. See also the latest earthquake releases on Scoop and the scoop.co.nz frontpage.

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