Canterbury picks up pieces after massive quake
By Jackie Llewellyn
Wellington, Sept 4 – A massive earthquake which shattered Canterbury in the early hours of this morning has left many
amazed that no one was killed.
The 7.1 magnitude quake struck at 4.35 am reducing buildings in central Christchurch to rubble, but there have so far
been just a few reports of serious injury.
The earthquake ripped through Christchurch and Canterbury’s infrastructure cutting power, creating gas leaks and
rupturing water and sewerage systems.
Debris and flooding blocked many roads and railway lines were bent out of shape.
The most serious damage appears to have been in Christchurch’s central business district with many old buildings
collapsing and leaving other in a perilous state as aftershocks rocked the region.
Civil Defence Minister John Carter said the lack of widespread deaths and injury showed the country had a ``lucky
escape’’.
When the earthquake hit New Zealand most people were in bed in houses that were relatively safe in comparison to the
commercial buildings in central Christchurch.
So far only one serious injury has been reported - a man in his 50s who is in intensive care in Christchurch Hospital
after a chimney fell on him.
A second man suffered serious cuts, and emergency medical services were flooded with people with cuts, scratches and
broken limbs.
There was also a report of a serious heart attack around the time of the quake.
The quake was centred 40 km west of Christchurch near Darfield where there were reports of serious damage, but no major
injuries as of yet.
A state of emergency is in place in Christchurch, the Selwyn district and other areas giving police and emergency
personal more powers with central Christchurch cordoned off as engineers assess damaged buildings and tried to restore
power and other services,
Most power was expected to be restored by this evening, but water and sewerage systems would take longer to restore.
Early estimates put the damage at $2 billion and Prime Minister John Key, who flew into the area, pledged that the
Government would assist the region to rebuild subject to the earthquake and war damage scheme.
Many residents said the quake lasted for more than minute and was violent enough to knock people off their feet.
Those struggling to get over the traumatic effect will have to brace themselves for a coming storm.
Strong winds are forecast to increase today with gusts of up to 130km possible later in the day.
Buildings, other structures and trees already weakened by the quake and flooding could be put at risk.
MetService is also watching the storm, issuing a severe gale warning for the city predicting winds averaging 65kmh (gale
force) with gusts to 130kmh.
ENDS