" 2100 hrs Wednesday 23 February 2011
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake occurred 10km south-east of Christchurch at 12:51, February 22, 2011. Depth (focal depth): 5km. The National Crisis Management Centre has been activated and a National State of Emergency has been declared (www.beehive.govt.nz).
Considerable damage has been reported in the Christchurch Central Business District and in Lyttelton. There is a cordon around the central business district. Damage assessment is ongoing and over time, will present a better understanding of the extent of damage. Rescue work is likely to take days to complete.
A large number of people have been pulled alive from collapsed buildings.
Priorities for the response remain the support of the urban search and rescue operation, the treatment and care of injured or affected individuals, and the coordination of national resources in support of the local response.
Resources are being deployed from around the country and from overseas to provide support to the Canterbury response. An 'air bridge' has been established between Christchurch and Wellington.
Damage assessment is ongoing and over time will provide a better understanding of the extent of damage.
- To minimise loading on the telecommunications network, people should use txt messaging to check if friends and family are safe
- There are reports of widespread building collapse (especially in the central city).
- There are 75 fatalities, 55 identities have been confirmed and 20 remain unconfirmed.
900 people registered at welfare centres - People continue to present at hospitals, triage centres and medical establishments and confirmed numbers of injured are not available at this time."
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