Death toll expected to rise after New Zealand earthquake people

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Death toll expected to rise after New Zealand earthquake
Sixty-five people confirmed dead
The Canadian Press/News1130 Staff Feb 22, 2011 02:57:11 AM
0    CHRISTCHURCH (NEWS1130) - At least 65 people are dead after a powerful earthquake struck Christchurch, New Zealand at the height of a busy workday.

The 6.3 magnitude quake toppled tall buildings and churches, crushed buses and cracked sidewalks and roads.

It's the second major quake to hit Christchurch in five months. But this earthquake caused far more destruction than a more powerful September quake that struck before dawn on a weekend.

Prime Minister John Key calls it a scene of utter devastation, adding it may be New Zealand's darkest day.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker has declared a state of emergency and ordered people to evacuate the city centre.

Troops have been deployed to help people get out and to put up a security area around the most damaged parts of the city.

The U-S Geological Survey says the quake was centred five kilometres from the city at a depth of four kilometres.

Two large aftershocks -- one magnitude 5.6 and another 5.5 -- hit the city within two hours, and people are being warned to stay away from damaged buildings for fear of further collapses.


Christchurch man living in Vancouver watches disaster unfold

Bede Cocks is from Christchurch but living in Vancouver. He says he initially felt helpless but quickly got on his phone, and technology came through.

While communication was down within the country, he was able to text and call his loved ones. "Following it from abroad you know, you sort of feel helpless. But at the same time it's pretty amazing being able to connect with family members. Text messaging from one to another. And those family members and friends being in the same city couldn't even communicate with each other."

While his family and friends are okay, he says some of their houses have been destroyed.

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