Date: 23 Feb 2011
Full_Report (pdf* format - 55.6 Kbytes)1950 hrs Wednesday 23 February 2011
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake occurred 10km south-east of Christchurch at 12:51, February 22, 2011.
Depth (focal depth): 5km. The National Crisis Management Centre has been activated.
Considerable damage has been reported in the Christchurch Central Business District and in Lyttelton.
There is a cordon around the central business district. Damage assessment is ongoing and over time, will present a better understanding of the extent of damage. Rescue work is likely to take days to complete.
A large number of people have been pulled alive from collapsed buildings.
Priorities for the response remain the support of the urban search and rescue operation, the treatment and care of injured or affected individuals, and the coordination of national resources in support of the local response.
Resources are being deployed from around the country and from overseas to provide support to the Canterbury response. An 'air bridge' has been established between Christchurch and Wellington.
Damage assessment is ongoing and over time will provide a better understanding of the extent of damage.
