New Zealand : #CHCH #EQNZ Quake Update 61

The latest update from New Zealand's Ministry of Civil Defence :

" 1345, 28 February 2011

NZ asked to observe silence for CanterburyPrime Minister John Key has asked that all of New Zealand observes two minutes’ silence for the victims of Canterbury’s devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake.

“I am calling on all New Zealanders to stop and remember those who have lost their lives, those who are missing, and the hundreds of people who are mourning family and friends. At 12.51pm this Tuesday, 1 March, I am asking that New Zealand stops for two minutes as a sign of unity for the people of Canterbury who are enduring a tragedy beyond what most of us can imagine.”

Rescue Operation
In the past few hours Police have assisted with an evacuation of properties in Kinsey Terrace and Clifton Terrace in Redcliffs, due to concerns about the stability of a cliff-face. This is now being assessed by geologists.Over the evening of 25 February, around 30 people were evacuated from Soleares Ave, in Mt Pleasant because of risk of rock fall. They have been re-housed or are at welfare centres.

As at 1345 on 28 February:

• There are 148 confirmed fatalities. This figure is expected to rise.
• The identity of eight of the deceased has been publicly released. See: http://www.police.govt.nz/list-deceased
• There have been 70 people rescued alive.
• There are more than 200 people reported missing (unaccounted for) in the worst-damaged sites in the city. This number will include many, or all, of the fatalities.
• The disaster victim identification process is thorough and time-consuming. To date, eight names have been released."