News: Christchurch hit by 6.3 magnitude earthquake

Damage to the Christchirch Cathedral caused by the quake.

This morning the city of Christchurch in New Zealand was hit with a 6.3 magnitude earthquake. This comes just 5 months after the city was struck by a 7.1 magnitude quake. Severe damage has occurred to building and roads. 


Multiple fatalities have been reported and two buses were crushed by toppling buildings, A doctor and emergency services are attending," police said in a statement. Reports have come through of people being trapped in or under buildings and debris, fires in buildings in the CBD and several building collapses. 


The steeple of the Christchurch Cathedral collapsed and it is unknown if people are trapped underneath.


The quake struck at 12:51pm. Students were at schools and people were at work, it was a very busy time of day. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key could not rule out whether there had been any fatalities but could confirm that there had been significant damaged caused by it. All flights in New Zealand have been grounded as the national air traffic control center is in Christchurch.


Aftershocks are still being felt as far up as Wellington. New Zealand is situated on the so-called "Ring of Fire", the boundary of the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates, and experiences up to 15,000 tremors a year. It averages at least one a day that is magnitude 4.0 or stronger. 


I think that this is horrible. The fact that it is the second strong one in 5 months just makes it all the worse. Hopefully emergency services can save as many people as possible.


Source: www.theage.com.au