Strong earthquake in New Zealand

In New Zealand there was a strong earthquake. Its magnitude is estimated to be 6, 3. The epicenter was registered in the area of ​​the second largest city - Christchurch on the South Island.

Top view of the wreckage of the collapsed chapel of the cathedral in the city of Christchurch. In the cathedral, whose age is 106 years, only recently finished repairs after a previous earthquake in September 2010. In addition, it is assumed that under the rubble of the cathedral may be people




In this frame Reuters TV program shows how to help one of the many affected by the quake. To date, authorities have reported 65 dead, including a tourist



The number of victims could vozrasti- hundreds of people are under the rubble of destroyed buildings. In the photo: the rescuers apart the rubble in Christchurch.



The victims have been providing medical assistance, while rescue workers are searching for people caught under the rubble.



The earthquake was recorded at 12.51 on Tuesday local time (22.51 MSK Monday).



The epicenter of the tremors was located at a depth of 5 km about 10 km southeast from the city of Christchurch, located on the South Island. In the photo: the rescuers derive injured woman from a building damaged by an earthquake.



The magnitude of the first tremor was 6, 3. He was followed by a series of aftershocks, the magnitude of the strongest of which is fixed at 14 minutes after the first shock, was 5, 7



Damage to the second largest city of New Zealand, tremors, comparable to the explosion of 15 kilotons of TNT. In the photo: the bus crushed rubble on a street in the city of Christchurch. Local authorities reported that the wreckage fell including two passenger bus, killing people



Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said that the city suffered great damage and that his recovery will take care of other areas of New Zealand. In the photo: Completely destroyed four-story building corporation «Pyne Gould» Christchurch



Local authorities fear that the death toll could rise significantly. The situation is complicated by the fact that the earthquake occurred in the middle of the day, when the heart of the city, the most affected by the quake, it was crowded. Photo: The victim quickly loaded into a car to take him to the hospital.



The earthquake caused significant damage to the infrastructure of the city. About 70% of Christchurch remains without electricity. When tremors damaged sewage pipes, resulting in some areas of the city are flooded. Significantly damaged bridges and roadway, which hinders access of firefighters and rescuers to the destruction of the object. In addition, firefighters faced difficulties due to the limited access to water.



As the Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key among the dead there is at least one tourist. He was in a car that filled up the rubble of the destroyed building. It is not known how many people can be in cars, crushed rubble of destroyed buildings.



Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker declared a state of emergency for the next five days. In the city under curfew from 19 to 7 hours. It is expected that the city will arrive on Wednesday the Prime Minister for a meeting of the operational headquarters.