Kiwis...

[Peregrinator]

You guys all right? Looks like a bad day in Christchurch.

 

[Peregrinator]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt0iIHXFnR0

 

[Peregrinator]

http://travel.usatoday.com/destinat...-quake-rocks-christchurch-nz-travel-/144007/1


Strong quake rocks Christchurch, N.Z.
Comments
By Laura Bly, USA TODAY
Less than six months after a 7.1 earthquake hit the southern New Zealand tourism center of Christchurch, a 6.3 temblor three miles from the city has caused multiple deaths and injuries and "massive damage," with people reportedly trapped in downtown buildings and houses.

The city's historic Anglican cathedral and namesake has been badly damaged, with witnesses calling it "destroyed," notes USA TODAY's On Deadline blog. According to AFP, roads buckled and police were evacuating the city center.

Police confirm fatalities at several locations in the central city, including two buses crushed by falling buildings, and bodies have been seen being taken out of a damaged youth hostel.

The city's airport is closed and all flights were grounded across the country as the national air traffic control center is in Christchurch and had to be checked, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. As of 10 p.m. ET, Air New Zealand reported that its domestic network was returning to operation with air traffic control radar coverage "gradually resuming."

The temblor hit at at 12:51 p.m. Tuesday local time (6:51 p.m. ET Monday), followed 10 minutes later by an aftershock registering 5.6.

Situated on the Avon River and considered the most English of New Zealand's cities, Christchurch is known for its Gothic structures and is a major gateway to the mountains and fjords of the South Island, which is in the midst of the summer high season.

Ironically, a recent Bloomberg report noted that New Zealand's economy "will likely rebound from the verge of a recession and expand," buoyed by earthquake reconstruction from the September temblor and a tourism boost from this year's Rugby World Cup, expected to draw 85,000 visitors to a country of 4.4 million.

For updates, check the New Zealand Herald's live blog.

Posted Feb 21 2011 9:29PM

 

[Luk]

Eyer made a comment.

please everyone accept Jesus as your savior and let him into your heart.

read your bibles and pray; for the last days are upon us.
eyer 11 minutes ago

 

[gotsnowgotslush]

I am hoping all of our Kiwi members will be OK, and will check in, when the aftershock has passed.

 

[trysail]

Feb 22 2011 - Christchurch badly damaged by magnitude 6.3 earthquakeChristchurch has experienced a major earthquake centred south of the city, and severe damage and casualties have been reported.

Last updated February 22, 4:30 pm

Shaking intensity in the city was much greater for this earthquake than the magnitude 7.1 earthquake from last September, or any of the aftershocks. The highest shaking was recorded at Pages Road Pumping Station at 188 %g, with readings of 127 %g at Heathcote Valley Primary School and 107 %g at Hulverstone Road Pumping Station.

http://www.geonet.org.nz/news/feb-2011-christchurch-badly-damaged-by-magnitude-6-3-earthquake.html

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/dyfi/events/us/b0001igm/us/usb0001igm_ciim.jpg

http://www.geonet.org.nz/images/earthquake/quakes/3468672gm.png

http://www.geonet.org.nz/images/earthquake/quakes/3468672gi.png

​

 

[Peregrinator]

I am hoping all of our Kiwi members will be OK, and will check in, when the aftershock has passed.

It's coming up on 5:00 PM on Tuesday in Auckland, so I suspect those who can will be here before too much longer.

 

[Dreamliner]

This one is absolutely devastating. Number of buildings collapsed, high injury and death toll.

Very close to the city centre at 1pm, lots of people about and in the high rise offices.

from NZ.

 

[trysail]

http://noir.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=aXaqX7twCY.A


New Zealand’s Christchurch Hit by Temblor, Deaths Reported
By Chris Bourke

Feb. 22 (Bloomberg) -- A magnitude 6.3 earthquake rocked the southern New Zealand city of Christchurch, toppling buildings, ripping apart sidewalks and sending residents into the streets during the strongest aftershock since September.

Television footage showed office workers fleeing during their lunchtime break into streets covered in shattered glass, paper, bricks and concrete. Emergency workers carried injured and bloodied city residents to safety. Multiple fatalities have been reported and the center of the South Island city is being evacuated, New Zealand police said in a statement.

The five kilometer-deep quake, which struck at 12:51 p.m. local time, brought down parts of buildings in the center of New Zealand’s second-largest city, including the cathedral. Two buses were crushed by falling buildings, police said. People are trapped under rubble and some buildings are on fire.

The quake is the largest since September when the city was rocked by the country’s worst temblor in 80 years. The quake was centered 10 kilometers south-east of Christchurch, according to geonet.org.nz.

Prime Minister John Key called an emergency Cabinet meeting and will travel to Christchurch today, he told the nation’s parliament.

Buildings around the city’s central square, including the cathedral, have been damaged and some have collapsed completely. Sirens blared throughout the city.The city’s airport has been closed with all flights canceled or diverted, according to its website...

 

[redheadedtxn]

Eyer made a comment.

Scary stuff.

And Luke, that cracked me up.

How come it's acceptable to "talk to god" but if "god talks to you", you're crazy?

 

[Peregrinator]

This one is absolutely devastating. Number of buildings collapsed, high injury and death toll.

Very close to the city centre at 1pm, lots of people about and in the high rise offices.

from NZ.

Harsh, mate. I hope you and yours are all clear. At least one Yank is sending positive vibes...no, wait...encouraging and supportive thoughts your way.

 

[Peregrinator]

The Beeb has pretty extensive coverage and some video and pictures here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12533291

 

[thør]

i heard about a lot of liquifaction.......

Think quicksand, only quicker......

 

[Leotard]

I am fine, but I haven't heard from my family who live 30 minutes from christchurch. I am terrified & hope everyone else is okay and has heard from loved ones.

 

[Peregrinator]

I am fine, but I haven't heard from my family who live 30 minutes from christchurch. I am terrified & hope everyone else is okay and has heard from loved ones.

Best wishes for your family.

 

[Leotard]

This one is absolutely devastating. Number of buildings collapsed, high injury and death toll.

Very close to the city centre at 1pm, lots of people about and in the high rise offices.

from NZ.

I hope you & all your loved ones are safe and sound.

 

[Eiselmann]

Lived in Christchurch for 8 years up until just before the big quake last year...now up in Auckland.

Have heard from some of my friends and ex work mates and thankfully everyone is safe and well...but still to get a hold of most people I know.

The death toll stands at 65 and most of the damage is in the immediate area that I used to work in ......I really hope everyone I know is okay but my gut feeling is that i'll be lucky for that to happen.


Lyrics to 'Christchurch' by The Exponents a band that was big down here in the 80's if Christchurch has a 'theme' song this is it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STg8MB7g62M

 

[Debbie]

I live in the North Island. So we're all fine here.

Waiting to hear from family there but they live and work outside the CBD so they should be ok.


It is very sad and something that hasn't happened since the1931 Napier earthquake.

My thoughts go out to the other Kiwi's who are on the board and their families.

Thanks Perg.

And thanks to America who offered assistance and to Australia who have people on route to help out.

65 dead so far and many missing.

 

[islandman]

Thoughts and prayers.

 

[neci]

I hope everyone has been able to hear from their family and loved ones by now.

 

[duglasius]

Wow - I hope all the Lit members from the area are ok.

 

[vrosej10]

This one is absolutely devastating. Number of buildings collapsed, high injury and death toll.

Very close to the city centre at 1pm, lots of people about and in the high rise offices.

from NZ.

You okay? We're sending in help for you guys. We might help the US but you kiwis are kind of family. It's very scary. My uncle's family live in the area and none of us know what's going on. He has enough on his plate at the moment; my aunt has terminal cancer.

 

[vrosej10]

I live in the North Island. So we're all fine here.

Waiting to hear from family there but they live and work outside the CBD so they should be ok.


It is very sad and something that hasn't happened since the1931 Napier earthquake.

My thoughts go out to the other Kiwi's who are on the board and their families.

Thanks Perg.

And thanks to America who offered assistance and to Australia who have people on route to help out.

65 dead so far and many missing.

Good to hear you're out of it. The vision is scary. I've been on the verge of tears watching the footage of distressed survivors. This side of the pacific has been having a bad run of it.

 

[thirty]

Chinese medias report such news much quicker than those protests happened in other countries.

 

[vavavaVoom]

Many distressed passengers unable to fly out from Sydney today, worried for their loved ones. My Whanau are Auckland and Wellington based for which I am truly thankful. Getting hit hard both sides of the Tasman.
Kia Kaha
May your Whanau be hale & hearty