No reports of significant damage in Wellington

16 August 2013

Wellington District police say there are no reports of significant damage in the city so far following this afternoon's 6.2 magnitude earthquake.

While there a number of incidents involving broken glass in the city, there are no reports of any casualties so far.

A number of people have been freed from lifts in the CBD which stopped when the quake struck.

Inspector Pete Cowan of Wellington District police is urging people to be patient:

"With trains temporarily suspended and many people leaving the city early police are asking people to be patient as they head home this afternoon.

"There is significant traffic on city centre roads and many people walking home and we ask people to take extra care.

"We also ask people to check on any vulnerable neighbours and alert emergency services if they need assistance." said Mr Cowan.

Police are working with the fire service and Wellington City Council staff as assessments take place around the city.

The Police communications centre in Wellington has reported no significant increase in calls since the earthquake.

Elsewhere in Tasman district there are reports of some damage to buildings in and around the Seddon area, but there are no reports of any injuries.

SH1 between Weld Pass and Kaikoura is currently closed due to a rockfall.

ENDS

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