Officials: Strong earthquake rocks New Zealand

[RASor]

Osu,

Let us wish well for those in New Zealand. I pray our comrades there are safe and in good health.



Officials: Strong earthquake rocks New Zealand
Agence France-Presse

WELLINGTON - A powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 rocked New Zealand late Thursday, ripping holes in streets and causing parts of buildings to collapse, officials said.

The quake off the North Island's east coast was felt across the country with Gisborne city reporting considerable damage. There were no immediate reports of serious injury.

"There were holes opening up in some streets, partial building collapses in some areas," a central police communications spokesman said.

"We have got a lot of damage and are still assessing the situation," a police spokesman from Gisborne said shortly after the quake.

Civil defense services had been activated and they were carrying out emergency plans.

"There have not been a lot of injuries reported yet but a contingency plan was being activated at the hospital."

The earthquake struck at 8:55 p.m. (0755 GMT) and was at a depth of 40 kilometres (25 miles), the government seismology agency GNS Science said.

There have been numerous earthquakes in the New Zealand region recently, including a strong quake near the Auckland Islands on September 30.

New Zealand lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where colliding plates in the earth's crust cause frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.

[kakatootoshi]

There are many kiwi members in our forums and let us hope that nothing happens to them, their families and friends.

OSU!

[vapor]

best wishes to all those that are affected by this incidence.

vapor

[nzproud]

We are okay It wasn't that strong Osu!

[hasbeen]

having been to nz,to a kiwi that was no more than a fart !

[seienchin]

Originally Posted by nzproud

We are okay It wasn't that strong Osu!

Hmm 6.8 is pretty strong...just guess you are all tough.

Glad to hear the K4L community is OK - hope everyone else is too.

[Olrac]

Hope everyone is oke
osu

[Aunty Ichigeki]

We are okay because it was centred very deep & I didn't even feel it in Wellington but in Gisborne (further north) there was a LOT of damage. Pretty scary!

[nzproud]

wow I didn't know what happened until I saw the newspaper yesterday!

[Brad]

thats a bummer as i have family all through out nz i was actually born in the Lowwer Hutt hospital down the road from wellington. My dad told me about it we spoke last night. But seems every thing is all good.

[Paedde]

Ouch... my father lives in NZ...