Aftershocks Rock New Zealand after Deadly Quake

By Jon E. Dougherty at 22 Feb 2011

(Newsroom America) -- A series of aftershocks rocked parts of New Zealand early Wednesday following a deadly earthquake that may have killed as many as 150 people, reports said.

Parts of Christchurch, one of the country's largest cities, were devastated in what Prime Minister John Key has described as one of "New Zealand's darkest days."

The U.S. Geological Survey said the initial quake measured 6.3, and struck at 12:51 p.m. local time. The agency said subsequent quakes of 4.0, 4.1, 5.4 and 5.6 have been measured since.

Reports said New Zealand authorities and rescue personnel were working under searchlights in the early morning hours Wednesday to reach people who have been trapped under rubble. Local reports said about 120 people have already been rescued, but that the confirmed death toll has already reached 65 people.

"We may well be witnessing New Zealand's darkest day...The death toll I have at the moment is 65 and that may rise," said Key, who flew to his home town of Christchurch, a city of about 400,000, where he still has family. "It's an absolute tragedy for this city, for New Zealand, for the people we care so much about."

Key said help from the U.S. and Australia was already on its way.

The quake struck during the lunch hour, when streets and businesses were crowded. Authorities are saying it is the country's worst natural disaster in eight decades. An even larger, but less deadly, quake struck Christchurch in September, and parts of the city were still rebuilding from that disaster.

"All of our energy tonight is really focused on the need to rescue people," Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said, describing the city as having the appearance of a war zone.

Medical officials say they have treated scores of victims, most suffering cuts and bruises from rubble.

Reports said streets are buckled and several structures have collapsed, including the historic 130-year-old Christchurch Cathedral. Also, the quake caused some 30 million tons of ice to fall from the country's largest glacier, located about 120 miles away.

Police and army units are patrolling the streets as rescue teams continued to work into the night to reach victims, many of whom can be heard calling out from beneath piles of rubble.

Contact Jon E. Dougherty