An earthquake of magnitude 6.3 on the Richter scale occurred five kilometers from the east coast of New Zealand has left at least 65 fatalities, as stated by the prime minister, John Key, after declaring that "Christchurch [ the second largest city in New Zealand and the most affected by the quake] is a total disaster area.
" Several buildings in central Christchurch have collapsed or burned, while some 200 people are injured or trapped in damaged structures and is expected to increase the number of fatalities. "We are witnessing one of the darkest days of New Zealand," said the head of the Government shortly after arriving from the capital city, Wellington, to supervise the rescue and assistance to the victims.
The quake occurred at 12.51 local time (23.51 GMT), at midday, with the center of Christchurch immersed in everyday traffic, on lunch for employees and scholars. The core of the quake was located about 4 miles deep, 10 kilometers southeast of the city. Was followed 15 minutes later by an aftershock of 4.5, as indicated by the Geological Survey of the U.S..
It is likely that the number of fatalities increased in the coming hours as they move forward the work of rescue teams in the collapsed or damaged buildings, as indicated in a press conference the director of Civil Defence, John Hamilton. It is estimated that at least 200 people are still trapped in various buildings in Christchurch, home to some 400,000 people, as has been noted by the mayor, Bob Parker.
Parker also noted that among the ruins have been rescued about 120 people. Is the disaster that has caused more deaths in the country over the past 80 years, says the BBC. Spanish 85 are in the South Island from Spain, the Foreign Ministry is not aware that there have been Spanish victims in the earthquake.
Some 85 Spanish are in the South Island. According to diplomatic sources have explained, the fact that the Spanish embassy is located in the North Island had hampered attempts to contact the Honorary Consul in Christchurch and the members of the Spanish colony in the area near the epicenter.
The Prime Minister, José Luis RodrÃguez Zapatero, has sent a telegram to Prime Minister of New Zealand to transfer his condolences for those killed and offer the necessary assistance to enable the country. The European Commission President Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, has today expressed his "sadness and dismay" by the earthquake, while it has offered the assistance of the European Union "if necessary" to assist disaster victims.
In a message addressed to Prime Minister Barroso has expressed regret for the second time in a year New Zealand has been "tragically hit" by a natural disaster. The strong shaking caused the detachment of some 30 million tons of ice Tasman Glacier on the slopes of Mount Cook and the central South Island, has indicated the Weather Service.
Deployment of police to prevent looting The authorities have set up centers in at least six public schools in the city, which have been made about a thousand policemen and army to prevent looting. Most of Christchurch is without electricity and cut off from the outside due to failures in the systems of fixed and mobile.
At least one body was retrieved from an office building with four floors of the company Pyne Gould, situated in the heart of the city and the firefighters working to save about thirty people trapped in the rubble, according to Radio New Zealand reported. "A significant number of hotels have crumbled and, as we know, there are people trapped," said Civil Defence Minister, John Carter, told reporters.
State of emergency in some parts of the streets of Christchurch, the strong earthquake has caused potholes up to a meter deep. The mayor has confirmed that it has declared a state of emergency in the city and the police and the army mounted a cordon around the area most affected. Authorities also closed the airport in Christchurch, and consider whether it reopened Wednesday morning after reviewing the damage caused by the tremor in the terminal building.
Last September, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck and Christchurch and caused dozens of injuries and extensive damage to public infrastructure and buildings in the south. Since then, this part of the country has experienced numerous tremors. The last, just after Christmas, of 4.9 degrees. 
" Several buildings in central Christchurch have collapsed or burned, while some 200 people are injured or trapped in damaged structures and is expected to increase the number of fatalities. "We are witnessing one of the darkest days of New Zealand," said the head of the Government shortly after arriving from the capital city, Wellington, to supervise the rescue and assistance to the victims.
The quake occurred at 12.51 local time (23.51 GMT), at midday, with the center of Christchurch immersed in everyday traffic, on lunch for employees and scholars. The core of the quake was located about 4 miles deep, 10 kilometers southeast of the city. Was followed 15 minutes later by an aftershock of 4.5, as indicated by the Geological Survey of the U.S..
It is likely that the number of fatalities increased in the coming hours as they move forward the work of rescue teams in the collapsed or damaged buildings, as indicated in a press conference the director of Civil Defence, John Hamilton. It is estimated that at least 200 people are still trapped in various buildings in Christchurch, home to some 400,000 people, as has been noted by the mayor, Bob Parker.
Parker also noted that among the ruins have been rescued about 120 people. Is the disaster that has caused more deaths in the country over the past 80 years, says the BBC. Spanish 85 are in the South Island from Spain, the Foreign Ministry is not aware that there have been Spanish victims in the earthquake.
Some 85 Spanish are in the South Island. According to diplomatic sources have explained, the fact that the Spanish embassy is located in the North Island had hampered attempts to contact the Honorary Consul in Christchurch and the members of the Spanish colony in the area near the epicenter.
The Prime Minister, José Luis RodrÃguez Zapatero, has sent a telegram to Prime Minister of New Zealand to transfer his condolences for those killed and offer the necessary assistance to enable the country. The European Commission President Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, has today expressed his "sadness and dismay" by the earthquake, while it has offered the assistance of the European Union "if necessary" to assist disaster victims.
In a message addressed to Prime Minister Barroso has expressed regret for the second time in a year New Zealand has been "tragically hit" by a natural disaster. The strong shaking caused the detachment of some 30 million tons of ice Tasman Glacier on the slopes of Mount Cook and the central South Island, has indicated the Weather Service.
Deployment of police to prevent looting The authorities have set up centers in at least six public schools in the city, which have been made about a thousand policemen and army to prevent looting. Most of Christchurch is without electricity and cut off from the outside due to failures in the systems of fixed and mobile.
At least one body was retrieved from an office building with four floors of the company Pyne Gould, situated in the heart of the city and the firefighters working to save about thirty people trapped in the rubble, according to Radio New Zealand reported. "A significant number of hotels have crumbled and, as we know, there are people trapped," said Civil Defence Minister, John Carter, told reporters.
State of emergency in some parts of the streets of Christchurch, the strong earthquake has caused potholes up to a meter deep. The mayor has confirmed that it has declared a state of emergency in the city and the police and the army mounted a cordon around the area most affected. Authorities also closed the airport in Christchurch, and consider whether it reopened Wednesday morning after reviewing the damage caused by the tremor in the terminal building.
Last September, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck and Christchurch and caused dozens of injuries and extensive damage to public infrastructure and buildings in the south. Since then, this part of the country has experienced numerous tremors. The last, just after Christmas, of 4.9 degrees.
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