I pray that people are OK. From the damage I have seen on the Internet it seems there is lots of damage and people have died in this one. This earthquake was very shallow. I heard somewhere that its only 2.5 miles deep. Since we know (it seems as of now) there are reports of deaths, hopefully the number is very low. I send prayers to New Zealand.

Just to update this quake looks like it's done a whole hell of a lot worse than the previous one last year.

Multiple casualties, buildings collapsed, people trapped. Watching it live in tv now, gotta say, some pretty epic uncut footage been on tv here.

Kia Kaha CHCH

Hi all,

i'm in Christchurch , NZ.

I've already lived through last Septembers big quake, and all I can say is,

this was 10x worse than that

It was much shallower and it was extremely violent. I was a t work in a factory at the time, and the whole building was shaking violently. I cant believe it never came down.

We all just laid donw beside the Lathes and covered our heads. There was no time to get out, and no time to move or think clearly. Very scary.

After the quake the street outside work is now liquified and its like a river running down the road.

It took me 1.5hrs to drive home because it was gridlock. Me and the family are extremely lucky to be alive.

I can tell you now, there will be many fatalities after this. There are buildings down everywhere, liquifaction everywhere and the central city is like a WW2 blitz city.

I cant believe it. We are all in shock. Large aftershocks still hitting. The ground has been shaking away every 10 mins.

Will keep you all posted

Grant

Terrible news!

My heart goes out to all people in Christchurch and elsewhere near the quake area!

good luck alien.
Glad somewhere here speaks the local and is doing some good on the ground.

Just spoke with my family, everyone's ok thankfully, they've decided to pack up and head back to KeriKeri.

Heart goes out to Christchurch and NZ as a whole, such tragedy for such good hearted people! : (

Wonder why the 111 emergency telephone systems have stopped working for areas of the South Island?.. I know it can be fragile but talk about bad timing.

They just mentioned that Christchurch Hospital is now back in action guess they assessed it as being stable. Thank goodness.

I just found out through Facebook that a friend of mine who lives in Oamaru felt it. I'm just glad he's okay.

Originally posted by BigfootNZ
Wonder why the 111 emergency telephone systems have stopped working for areas of the South Island?.. I know it can be fragile but talk about bad timing.

They just mentioned that Christchurch Hospital is now back in action guess they assessed it as being stable. Thank goodness.

Phonelines have been completely cut across the city and the Hospital was evacuated after the big quake as a precaution. Not sure on this status now

I've just been told that Auckland ATC backup takes 3 days to kick in, and then is only a flight information service....I bet that'll be revised somewhat over the next few years!!

there are reports that the ATC tower at Chch airport has colapsed....which seems unlikely - but if it has it only controls the Chch terminal area.

The national radar centre is a few km away..no actual news about it yet.

News reporting that firetrucks cant get to the major fires.

Helicopters trying to put out fires from air.

News reporting that many many people are trapped in their Central City Work Buildings under desks, under rubble. They are alive and have managed limited Mobile Access. Emergency services are trying to reach them.

Prime Minister now on his way to Christchurch.

Liquifaction throughout many Central Streets