At least 65 people have died in Christchurch in southern New Zealand, because of a devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck this city, the second largest in the country, as confirmed by the New Zealand prime minister John Key. The quake also left many injured and extensive damage to many buildings in the city, including the cathedral, partially demolished after the earthquake.
"Christchurch is a total disaster area," said Key to Channel One News. "We are witnessing one of the darkest days of New Zealand," said the head of the Government shortly after coming to the city from Wellington, the capital of the country to supervise the rescue and assistance to the victims.
The quake struck shortly after noon to 5 miles from downtown and 4 miles deep and was followed by a replica of 4.5 degrees, 15 minutes later, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. As indicated in a press conference the director of Civil Defence, John Hamilton, is likely to increase death toll in the coming hours as they move forward the work of rescue teams in the collapsed or damaged buildings.
The mayor, Bob Parker, said it is estimated that at least 200 people are still trapped in different buildings of Christchurch, home to some 400 people. Among those trapped is a score of Japanese students who had traveled to the city in an exchange program and that the quake struck at THE SCHOOL.
Two of them have been rescued and sent to hospital, while another seven and a teacher have been found among the rubble and are waiting to be rescued. The quake struck shortly after noon to 5 miles from downtown and 4 miles deep and was followed by a replica of 4.5 degrees, 15 minutes later, according to the U.S.
Geological Survey. "What I can see from here, in the center of the city, which has caused considerable damage," he told local radio Christchurch Mayor, Bob Parks. He said he has received unconfirmed reports, that there are serious injuries. In some sections of pavement Chistchurch, city that is home to about 400,000 people, the quake caused tunnels of up to one meter deep.
Police have ordered the closure of the airport and evacuated the city center for fear of landslides. Last September, an earthquake of 7.2 magnitude hit Christchurch and caused dozens of injuries and extensive damage to public infrastructure and buildings in the south. Since then, this part of the country has experienced several earthquakes, the last of 4.9 degrees on the Richter scale just after Christmas.
The Embassy of Spain in New Zealand is not known whether affected between the Spanish colony of Christchurch, because the strong earthquake happened today in this southern city in the country has damaged the telephone network. What has transpired is that the Spanish players contesting the World Veterans in New Zealand are "safe and in good health," according to the Spanish Federation.
The three teams who were contesting the World Cup in the town of Christchurch "are now housed in private homes." The other teams in contention competitions in different cities in New Zealand, have hardly felt the effects of the earthquake. "Spanish players are Begoña Erana, Rosa Bielsa, Patricia Couder, Magda Gual, Joaquin" Quino "Muñoz, Roberto Menendez Carlos Castellanos, Oscar Martinez, Carlos Costa Bou, Miquel Puigdevall, Pablo and Carlos Homedes Semprún.
Diplomatic sources said they were trying, unsuccessfully, to contact the Spanish registered as residents in Christchurch. In this city and surrounding area is estimated to lie between Spanish 80 and 90, including passers-by a temporary stay. "The phone lines are damaged, we hours trying to contact but we have not managed to speak with one," said a spokesman for the Spanish Embassy. 
"Christchurch is a total disaster area," said Key to Channel One News. "We are witnessing one of the darkest days of New Zealand," said the head of the Government shortly after coming to the city from Wellington, the capital of the country to supervise the rescue and assistance to the victims.
The quake struck shortly after noon to 5 miles from downtown and 4 miles deep and was followed by a replica of 4.5 degrees, 15 minutes later, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. As indicated in a press conference the director of Civil Defence, John Hamilton, is likely to increase death toll in the coming hours as they move forward the work of rescue teams in the collapsed or damaged buildings.
The mayor, Bob Parker, said it is estimated that at least 200 people are still trapped in different buildings of Christchurch, home to some 400 people. Among those trapped is a score of Japanese students who had traveled to the city in an exchange program and that the quake struck at THE SCHOOL.
Two of them have been rescued and sent to hospital, while another seven and a teacher have been found among the rubble and are waiting to be rescued. The quake struck shortly after noon to 5 miles from downtown and 4 miles deep and was followed by a replica of 4.5 degrees, 15 minutes later, according to the U.S.
Geological Survey. "What I can see from here, in the center of the city, which has caused considerable damage," he told local radio Christchurch Mayor, Bob Parks. He said he has received unconfirmed reports, that there are serious injuries. In some sections of pavement Chistchurch, city that is home to about 400,000 people, the quake caused tunnels of up to one meter deep.
Police have ordered the closure of the airport and evacuated the city center for fear of landslides. Last September, an earthquake of 7.2 magnitude hit Christchurch and caused dozens of injuries and extensive damage to public infrastructure and buildings in the south. Since then, this part of the country has experienced several earthquakes, the last of 4.9 degrees on the Richter scale just after Christmas.
The Embassy of Spain in New Zealand is not known whether affected between the Spanish colony of Christchurch, because the strong earthquake happened today in this southern city in the country has damaged the telephone network. What has transpired is that the Spanish players contesting the World Veterans in New Zealand are "safe and in good health," according to the Spanish Federation.
The three teams who were contesting the World Cup in the town of Christchurch "are now housed in private homes." The other teams in contention competitions in different cities in New Zealand, have hardly felt the effects of the earthquake. "Spanish players are Begoña Erana, Rosa Bielsa, Patricia Couder, Magda Gual, Joaquin" Quino "Muñoz, Roberto Menendez Carlos Castellanos, Oscar Martinez, Carlos Costa Bou, Miquel Puigdevall, Pablo and Carlos Homedes Semprún.
Diplomatic sources said they were trying, unsuccessfully, to contact the Spanish registered as residents in Christchurch. In this city and surrounding area is estimated to lie between Spanish 80 and 90, including passers-by a temporary stay. "The phone lines are damaged, we hours trying to contact but we have not managed to speak with one," said a spokesman for the Spanish Embassy.
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