Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Another earthquake in Christchurch New Zealand.

At about 1 pm today a 6.3 earthquake at a depth of about 5km struck Christchurch today. Unlike the previous large quake ( 7.1 ) this one has claimed lives with some buildings collapsing. Emergency service staff are checking buildings for trapped survivors. The Army and Navy are assisting. The quake was centred near in the town C.B.D. The power is off and the airport is close until it can be checked for damage. It is reported that much of the city has been severely damaged. A large number of persons are being rescued from collapsed buildings.

My prayers are for the good people of NZ, especially those on the South Island and in Christchurch.

Not good. Must be terrifying... I can only imagine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt0iIHXFnR0&playnext=1&list=PL893917C0720F0018

I was there 2 days ago on a tour of the South. Bit of a bugga as I’m sure I could help if I was down there. Reports of people trapped in collapsed buildings at present.

God bless you all.

Wow! That's some terrible footage of destruction there.

Our thoughts are with the people of Christchurch at this time.

Thoughts ans prayers go out .

Prayers going out to those in Christchurch

I have a friend that lives in a suburb of Christchurch, Hornby, and he says that the damage around him is minimal, but that Christchurch looks like a bomb went off. Lots of collapsed buildings and trapped people. He also said that it is constantly shaking. My heart goes out to those folks. I don't know where they dredge up the fortitude. I guess that when the times are tough the tough get going, as the old saying goes.

Frank

As a Kiwi it’s almost surreal watching the images on the tv of Christchurch and the rescue efforts. So often I have watched the images from distant shores of other world events unfolding..... It is heartening survivors continue to be dug out of collapsed buildings. It is dangerous work as the aftershocks continue. It is humbling to know that USR teams are coming to help from all around the world in our time of need. A National state of Emergency has been declared by the government today. Thank you for your kind thoughts and support.

I lived and worked in Christchurch back in '85 - in the BNZ Bldg directly across the river from the collapsed Pine Goukd Bldg. I have fond memories of my time there. Watching on TV it seems unreal - lives can totally change in moments ...

My thoughts and prayers to everyone affected.

dang ! you alright..... ? things are sounding serious there.

It is a big event for New Zealand.

All this is on top of a Quake in September in the same area more or less that destroyed some building in the CBD and many houses were damaged beyond repair. Infrastructure (power, roads, sewage and water) was also damaged.

At present we have USAR teams from around the world including the US here. They are most welcome. Essentially the CBD in Christchurch has been severely damaged with large buildings collapsing. Many of those buildings contained people. There is more damage to the surrounding housing areas with many homes condemned. Roads have collapsed and holes have appeared. Water is in short supply and is being trucked in. Power has been restored in some areas. Toilet and sewerage systems have been damaged. A large cordon has been established around the CBD while the USAR teams go to work. No survivors were located today. 145 confirmed dead ( recovered ). 200 + persons have been reported missing. 1/3 of the CBD is to be demolished. Local police numbers have been boosted by the arrival of several hundred Australian police staff. Students have turned out with shovels and wheelbarrows; they have gone to the suburbs and are assisting with the removal of the Liquefaction that covers the ground. Many of those not affected are assisting with cooking hot meals and they are being choppered in and served hot. Mostly those who can help are helping where and how they can. Money is being donated. Large companies are stepping up. It seems all NZ is stepping up. The international community has stepped up as well. Life changed in minutes for many. It’s very thought provoking.

Mo, thanks for keeping us in the loop. It's sobering to read your posts and hear about what amounts to absolute devastation in so many lives. I have no words to express my condolences...

You folks in that part of the world have been hammered by mother nature this year. Hold on, you're in my prayers.

Well I put my hand up to go down to Christchurch and help. I'm down there for a week or so at the end of the month. Not sure what I will be doing yet but we have been assured it will be long days (or nights) while we are there, but that’s ok as we have nothing else to do while we are there, cept sleep from time to time I guess. The good thing is they have promised to feed us now and again.

Good on ya, man. It's actions like yours that make the world go 'round!

Most of us will help out if we can. Nothing special in me.

Good onya - your generous actions can give hope where there was very little. Maybe out of these tragedies we can recapture some of the real 'community spirit' our culture has abandoned (to our great loss).

Thanks for the update Mo. Make sure you keep us posted. +1 on what Keith said also.