Massive Quake Hits Christchurch NZ

[Corvus]

The Pyne Gould Guinness Building, a multistory building containing more than 200 workers, has collapsed and an unknown number of people are trapped inside. Television pictures showed rescuers, many of them office workers, dragging severely injured people from the rubble. Many had blood streaming down their faces. Screams could be heard from those still trapped.

...

The U.S. Geological Survey said the temblor was centered 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the city at a depth of 2.5 miles (4 kilometers). A 5.6-magnitude aftershock hit shortly after 7 miles (11 kilometers) east of the city at a depth of 3.7 miles (6 kilometers).

This apparently wasn't an aftershock stemming from the quake in September. There are unconfirmed reports of deaths and two buses being crushed by falling buildings but so far nothing official and God willing it will stay that way. Yahoo News reports that there are possibly hundreds trapped in office buildings awaiting rescue as the quake hit at 1 PM local time.

[Áine]

The Pyne Gould Guinness Building, a multistory building containing more than 200 workers, has collapsed and an unknown number of people are trapped inside. Television pictures showed rescuers, many of them office workers, dragging severely injured people from the rubble. Many had blood streaming down their faces. Screams could be heard from those still trapped.

...

The U.S. Geological Survey said the temblor was centered 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the city at a depth of 2.5 miles (4 kilometers). A 5.6-magnitude aftershock hit shortly after 7 miles (11 kilometers) east of the city at a depth of 3.7 miles (6 kilometers).

This apparently wasn't an aftershock stemming from the quake in September. There are unconfirmed reports of deaths and two buses being crushed by falling buildings but so far nothing official and God willing it will stay that way. Yahoo News reports that there are possibly hundreds trapped in office buildings awaiting rescue as the quake hit at 1 PM local time.

I have just heard that there are unconfirmed reports of at least 65 dead and many more trapped....it is bound to have effected our brothers and sisters there

[sianrose]

Christchurch earthquake: 150 feared dead on New Zealand's 'darkest day'

More than 150 are feared dead after a major earthquake hit Christchurch, one of New Zealand's biggest cities, in what the prime minister described "New Zealand's darkest day".

Hundreds injured amid fears death toll could significantly increase...

telegraph.co.uk

[Dages]

"a major earthquake hit Christchurch"

Babylon is hit ?

er... well... I hope we will have news from our brother over there soon.

[Corvus]

Christchurch earthquake: 150 feared dead on New Zealand's 'darkest day'

More than 150 are feared dead after a major earthquake hit Christchurch, one of New Zealand's biggest cities, in what the prime minister described "New Zealand's darkest day".

Hundreds injured amid fears death toll could significantly increase...

telegraph.co.uk

The mayor of Christchurch said this morning that the authorities expect the death toll to exceed 300. I hope they are wrong but this is looking really bad.

On the upside a fellow on the radio this morning said that a contingent of NZ army troops were in the town that was the epicentre of the quake getting ready to ship out for an exercise so they were able to swing into action and start helping right away. Also over a hundred Australian federal officers who are experts in disaster response are being sent over to help out and as of this morning they were still pulling live victims from rubble but the numbers were shrinking. Another thing was that for once a union strike had a positive outcome because hundreds of children who would normally have been in high schools were at home due to a teachers strike which probably saved quite a few of their lives.

[rocket]

I received this information 2rd hand, so please wait for confirmation from the Slave.

To my fleshly sister from a spiritual friend in New Zealand:

Dear Friends,

Many have been asking about the effect of the Christchurch earthquake on our brothers. As you may have heard, the quake had a devastating impact on the city and its inhabitants.

You will be pleased to know that we have received notice from the New Zealand branch office that there has been no serious injury to any of our brothers, and none are listed among the missing or among those confirmed to have died.

We join with you in a collective sigh of relief at hearing such news.

The homes of some of our brothers have sustained damage, requiring that they relocate to other homes among family and friends. The Kingdom Halls in the region escaped serious damage.

The above is just a brief synopsis of the letter we received this evening and which is being conveyed to the congregations, but I thought you would appreciate knowing that our brothers and sisters are ok.

We thank you for your kind concern and send our warmest love and best wishes.