21 February 2011in Christchurch, New Zealand
On Tuesday 22nd of February, Christchurch, New Zealand’s second largest city with about 350,000 inhabitants, was shattered by a major earthquake during a busy afternoon. The city got already damaged by an earthquake in September 2010. But in contrast to last year, this earthquake claims many victims. 65 people were killed by the M6.3 quake and hundreds are still buried in the debris. The center of the earthquake was only 5 kilometers away from the city center at a depth of 4 kilometers.
Prime Minister John Key, who called this Tuesday one of the darkest days in New Zealand’s history, stated that the number of victims is expected to rise. The quake occurred at 13.00 o’clock local time when the majority of the people were at their offices or in the streets of the city center. The town was also hit by a series of aftershocks.
Many buildings are damaged; also the iconic stone Cathedral of Christchurch. Moreover bridges, streets, electricity and telephone lines are destroyed. 80% of the city had no electricity anymore; even New Zealand’s emergency service was not available anymore by telephone. Hundreds of people were in panic and running through the streets.
Currently, it is of utmost importance to rescue the people who are still trapped alive in the toppled buildings. Frantic rescuers are searching in the ruins. Rescue crews, military and police come from all over the country to Christchurch in order to intensify the rescue operations.
According to GNS Science, the earthquake took place at “the worst possible location” at a busy time of day. Therefore the consequences and damages are – in contrast to September 2010, where no people died – that fatal and dramatic. Experts consider this natural disaster as “aftershock sequence” of the earthquake last September.
New Zealand is located at the so called Pacific fire belt. Around 90% of all earthquakes worldwide take place in this area. On average, there are about 14,000 quakes each year. However only 150 can be perceived and less than 10 cause damages. The current disaster is the most disastrous earthquake since 1931 in this zone.
