earthquake

A massive earthquake in Christchurch - news just coming in - kia kaha and much arohanui to all.

The cathedral tower is down

RadioNZ

The Standard

Stuff running report

Just spoke to mate - it is bad, buildings down, dust and tears. He is okay but many are not.

Confirmed deaths on radio and dozens of people trapped.

Mutiple fatalities in multiple locations including buses crushed by falling debris - radio

most if not all of the Christchurch civil defence leaders are in Wellington at a conference and the airport is down so they can't get straight in

power out to 80% of the city

rescue teams being formed to search collapsed buildings

65 confirmed dead - up to 200 perhaps still trapped in collapsed and burning buildings

Update - 75 confirmed dead, 300 still unaccounted for - over 120 people pulled out of rubble overnight