Christchurch, New Zealand was struck by a powerful magnitude 6.3 earthquake on Tuesday that wreaked havoc across the nation’s second largest city. Buildings were reduced to rubble and people buried alive in what is being called the ‘darkest day’ in the New Zealand history.
The quake, which struck at 12:51pm local time and at a shallow 3.1 mile depth, has been followed by a serious of significant aftershocks. The seven additional temblors have ranged from magnitude 4.1 up to magnitude 5.6.
In September the area was struck by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake and recovery efforts from that quake were still underway when the new quake struck. Buildings that were already weakened by last year’s quake, then the initial quake today struggled to hold up with the ongoing aftershocks.
Prime Minister John Key said, “It is just a scene of utter devastation. We may well be witnessing New Zealand’s darkest day.”
Digging through the rubble to reach those who may yet be buried remained a priority. At least 65 people have been confirmed killed but as rescuers continue to search collapsed buildings and they fear the toll may rise further. Continue reading New Zealand suffers ‘darkest day’ as at least 65 killed in earthquake