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Massive earthquake hits Christchurch

> From the WeatherWatch archives

A huge quake measuring 7.4 has hit New Zealand’s second largest city, Christchurch, reports WeatherWatch.co.nz.

Head weather analyst Philip Duncan, who is currently in Christchurch, says the quake was big and long lasting.  “I was asleep in my hotel room when I was jolted awake.  The church bells in Cathedral Square were playing for several minutes after the quake”.

Mr Duncan says huge flashes of light lit up the city, he assumes they were power transformers exploding.  The power has been off in the central city since the quake struck around 4:30am.

Reports are now coming in of buildings being destroyed.

Several aftershocks have hit the city.

“I’ve felt several aftershocks, the building has no power and all you can do is sit there and listen to the creaking and rattling”.

Mr Duncan says people have lined the streets rather than staying indoors.

Alarms can be heard all over the city.

Comments

Before you add a new comment, take note this story was published on 3 Sep 2010.

Laura on 4/09/2010 12:22am

Man thinks he is all powerfull, until mother earth shows us how fragile our existence on this planet is… Here in England, we can only watch and wait as the tragedy of the quake unfolds … Our media has not given us any information whatsoever, so a big thank you Philip and Coast Radio who are keeping us up to date by internet of the devastation you are all
experiencing.
Our thoughts prayers and hopes are with you all. Special thoughts go to those with relatives over here who have not yet heard that their loved ones are safe, due to the phone network being blacked out. Lets hope God smiles on your beautiful land and tells mother earth to stop shaking… (((((((((( hug for anyone sad or afraid tonight ))))))))))) laura xx ,

Guest on 3/09/2010 8:21pm

Was INTENSE!!! finally got power here in New brighton. After shocks continuing…

Tracey on 3/09/2010 8:00pm

Yea! Scariest night!! I am in Ashburton – and there are still aftershocks! My sympathies and support are with the residents of Christchurch and Darfield. Guys we are all thinking of you!

Mary on 3/09/2010 6:24pm

Praying for everyone in Christchurch New Zealand…..

Laura on 4/09/2010 12:04am

We on this earth think we are all powerful, until you see the beauty or the power of mother earth as she reminds us we are mere mortals.
From all those in England who are watching and waiting for news of our loved ones in
new zealand… We send our thoughts prayers and hopes that everyone will be safe and sound. Thank you Philip for your updates, its better than the tv nz station. Coast Radio
is doing its best also, we here in England rely so much on your stations. Its perhaps the
best contact we have, so far, nothing has been reported on our News here in England !
So keep on keeping on. ((((((((( hug ))))))) laura xx

Guest on 4/09/2010 5:29am

Tvnz does now have full coverage on the earthquake

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