Quake rocks New Zealand city

Casualty toll remains unclear after 6.3 magnitude earthquake hits Christchurch for the second time in five months

The quake caused extensive damage to buildings and fatalities could not be ruled out [Reuters]

Source: Al Jazeera
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2011/02/20112221355543401.html

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake has rocked the southern New Zealand city of Christchurch, seriously injuring people and damaging buildings throughout the city.

John Key, the prime minister of New Zealand, said he could not rule out deaths after the earthquake caused extensive damage to the city on Tuesday.

"Sadly, I cannot rule out whether there have been fatalities or not," Key told parliament.

Bob Parker, the mayor of Christchurch, said he was on the top floor of the city council building when the quake hit just before 1 pm local time, throwing him across the room.

"I got down onto the street and there were scenes of great confusion, a lot of very upset people.

"I know of people in our building who are injured and I've had some reports of serious injuries throughout the city," he said.

The airport was closed and Christchurch Hospital was evacuated. Power and telephone lines were knocked out, and pipes burst, flooding the streets with water. Some cars apparently parked on the street were buried under rubble.

The US Geological Survey said the temblor was centered five kilometers from the city at a depth of 4 kilometers.

A 5.6-magnitude aftershock was centered 11km east of the city at a depth of six kilometers.

Christchurch is home to about 350,000 people and is considered a tourist centre and gateway to the South Island.

An earthquake in September last year wrecked hundreds of buildings in the city, and caused an estimated $3 billion in damage. A strong aftershock in December caused further damage to buildings.