nznews

6.37am
Calls are flooding into the police communications centres around New Zealand, causing problems for staff trying to deal with the massive earthquake and aftershocks which have hit Christchurch and Canterbury. A police spokesman asked residents to call police emergency numbers only in an emergency.

6.32am
Orion power company is working to restore power after the massive 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch knocked out electricity.
A spokesperson for Orion said it appeared parts of rural Canterbury and Christchurch were without power. Orion has asked residents not to call in about the power since its lines are now jammed.
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A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck about 30km west of Christchurch at 4.35am today, leaving extensive damage in the city. Emergency services have been inundated with calls for help following the quake which had a t a depth of 33km. Police said power to Christchurch was out and sewer lines had been damaged, and that part of Avonside Dr had been damaged and could not be driven on. The pictures are starting to emerge. Article

Wellington is expected to be bulging at the seams as visitors arrive for the Rugby World Cup next year but officials say the city will cope. The council expects a large number of visitors to stay in mobile accommodation, such as campervans, and it was working to ensure they had somewhere to park. Hospitality Association spokesman Adam Cunningham said only about 25 per cent of rooms placed into the tournament's Official Accommodation Bank had been returned to accommodation providers, which suggested most rooms had already been filled by organisers. It's only a temporary thing. Then life goes back to boring again. Article

BREAKING NEWS: A massive 7.4 magnitude earthquake has hit Christchurch and the wider South Island, causing widespread damage and cutting power. The quake was centred 30km west of Christchurch and 33km underground. It hit at 4.35am and there have been many reports of damage, including buildings being flattened and roads being ripped up. It was felt widely across the South Island, most strongly in Christchurch and Timaru, and there have also been reports of the quake being felt as far as Wellington. Several aftershocks have been felt. I hate earthquakes. The milk in my cornflakes curdle. Article