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Version 23 Version 24
New Zealand earthquake: strong aftershocks as roads and rivers blocked – live New Zealand earthquake: strong aftershocks as roads and rivers blocked – live
(35 minutes later)
5.01am GMT
05:01
Government to use boats and planes to get tourists out of Kaikoura
John Key, the prime minister, has said the government will mobilise its forces including the frigate Canterbury to get about 1000 tourists out of Kaikoura, Stuff.co.nz reports.
The Air Force could also use its smaller planes, he said.
4.55am GMT
04:55
This woman’s house in Kekerengu moved about 15 metres during the quake.
Sue Murray from Bluff Station, Kekerengu, talks through the 'house-moving' experience. Fault line was right under the house. pic.twitter.com/GrcNUimYfa
Updated
at 4.55am GMT
4.51am GMT
04:51
Looks like New Zealanders have been heeding advice to stock up on essentials.
Water, water, everywhere ... No wait #eqnz pic.twitter.com/mRybVMUgYM
Ah! There's absolutely no water or bread on the shelves in supermarkets. #eqnz pic.twitter.com/RRZWUU4lly
4.46am GMT
04:46
Some more images courtesy of Alex Perrottet/RNZ.
Updated
at 4.47am GMT
4.31am GMT4.31am GMT
04:3104:31
Another update from Kaikoura:Another update from Kaikoura:
Six people with significant injuries have been flown to Christchurch, while 15 remain with cuts, bruises and broken bones.Six people with significant injuries have been flown to Christchurch, while 15 remain with cuts, bruises and broken bones.
Dr Chris Henry at Kaikoura hospital says 6 ppl with significant injuries flown to Chch, 15 remain here with cuts, bruises and broken bones. pic.twitter.com/Iz4JzaTpFKDr Chris Henry at Kaikoura hospital says 6 ppl with significant injuries flown to Chch, 15 remain here with cuts, bruises and broken bones. pic.twitter.com/Iz4JzaTpFK
One house has reportedly been “flattened” in the town.One house has reportedly been “flattened” in the town.
Meanwhile, a specialist New Zealand search and rescue team has arrived in Kaikoura to assess damaged buildings.Meanwhile, a specialist New Zealand search and rescue team has arrived in Kaikoura to assess damaged buildings.
The 20-strong team were deployed with two rescue dogs from Christchurch and another 20 members remain on stand-by in the city.The 20-strong team were deployed with two rescue dogs from Christchurch and another 20 members remain on stand-by in the city.
Search and rescue teams in North Island have joined emergency response efforts in Wellington as they help assess buildings using drone surveillance.Search and rescue teams in North Island have joined emergency response efforts in Wellington as they help assess buildings using drone surveillance.
Extra police have been drafted in to help the community.
Extra @nzpolice from Blenheim have been deployed to Kaikoura to help the community. More are coming from Auckland tonight. #eqnz
Updated
at 4.43am GMT
4.24am GMT4.24am GMT
04:2404:24
Bridget Bull has emailed from Raglan in North Island, where the water system has been affected.Bridget Bull has emailed from Raglan in North Island, where the water system has been affected.
No damage at all except our water supply. Water restrictions in place because the stream that fills our reservoir was compromised during the quake. We have water but it’s limited. Reservoir being filled by tankers at present. Bought extra drinking water. Hesitant about the storm that’s coming. Thoughts are with our friends on the South IslandNo damage at all except our water supply. Water restrictions in place because the stream that fills our reservoir was compromised during the quake. We have water but it’s limited. Reservoir being filled by tankers at present. Bought extra drinking water. Hesitant about the storm that’s coming. Thoughts are with our friends on the South Island
She sent in this photograph of baby Rita asleep next to the emergency water:She sent in this photograph of baby Rita asleep next to the emergency water:
4.12am GMT4.12am GMT
04:1204:12
There are concerns for the safety of farm animals in quake-hit areas.There are concerns for the safety of farm animals in quake-hit areas.
Wow....the land is screwed. There must have been significant stock losses. 😢 #nzearthquake #nzquake #eqnz pic.twitter.com/bmqS89NAaSWow....the land is screwed. There must have been significant stock losses. 😢 #nzearthquake #nzquake #eqnz pic.twitter.com/bmqS89NAaS
LUCKY COWS #eqnz pic.twitter.com/pO8vvME0efLUCKY COWS #eqnz pic.twitter.com/pO8vvME0ef
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.30am GMTat 4.30am GMT
4.11am GMT4.11am GMT
04:1104:11
A group of 16 rafters who were briefly feared missing on the flooded Clarence River have been found safe and well. Six kayakers are also unaccounted for, but their kayaks and supplies have been found and search teams believe they have made for higher ground.A group of 16 rafters who were briefly feared missing on the flooded Clarence River have been found safe and well. Six kayakers are also unaccounted for, but their kayaks and supplies have been found and search teams believe they have made for higher ground.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.21am GMTat 4.21am GMT
4.06am GMT4.06am GMT
04:0604:06
Images from the NZ Defence Force’s Sgt Sam Shepherd.Images from the NZ Defence Force’s Sgt Sam Shepherd.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.09am GMTat 4.09am GMT
3.55am GMT3.55am GMT
03:5503:55
Anna LivseyAnna Livsey
My colleague Anna Livsey has put together this before and after composite of a stretch of State Highway 1, showing how the road looked before the earthquake struck (bottom picture) and how it looks now.My colleague Anna Livsey has put together this before and after composite of a stretch of State Highway 1, showing how the road looked before the earthquake struck (bottom picture) and how it looks now.
3.40am GMT
03:40
Clarence River dam breached
Residents have been urged to seek higher ground immediately.
Slip dam on Clarence River has breached, large wall of water heading downstream. Residents urged to go to higher ground IMMEDIATELY #eqnz
3.32am GMT
03:32
More images of destruction are emerging from the town of Waiau, where photos show severe damage to houses and a church.
#PHOTOS Our reporter @CK_Daniels walked in to Waiau, which was cut off by #eqnz - here are here photos https://t.co/V5wMKLLVP5 pic.twitter.com/qSJedxxLgx
3.30am GMT
03:30
One truck driver has had a very lucky escape.
The driver of a truck that was caught between two landslides near Kaikoura is safe and well, colleagues initially reported him as missing.
3.28am GMT
03:28
The aftershocks continue ...
CAN THE GROUND STOP MOVING PLEASE #eqnz
3.22am GMT
03:22
Jasmijn de Boo, who recently arrived in New Zealand from Britain, had just fallen asleep in Wellington when the quake hit.
I travelled from the UK and arrived in NZ for work two weeks ago (having never visited before), and had only been in Wellington for nine days when I experienced the earthquake last night.
The week had already been filled by wild weather, with storms and lots of rainfall. As I had just fallen asleep I felt the shake at midnight and I thought it must have been gusts of wind, as the previous Sunday I had experienced two gusts of wind of 117km/h which shook the house where I am temporarily staying.
But the shake continued and then a few books fell of a shelf when it started to dawn on me that it was an earthquake. My host soon checked on me to see if I was OK. The aftershocks kept us alert, and then, after an hour or so, we received warnings of possible tsunami. As I’m staying by the waterfront, we kept an eye on the water level. It quickly rose and receded by around a metre all through the night.
At 3:45am the call was made to get into the car and drive to higher ground. We waited for nearly two hours, approximately 20m above sea level, where we could see the water and the house, after which we decided to go back. After 40 minutes of sleep my colleague rang to make arrangements for staff not to go into the office. As the CBD is mostly locked down, most staff wouldn’t be able to get to the office. Some of us are working from home.
3.05am GMT
03:05
John Key: damage in Kaikoura 'will take years to clean up'
Speaking in Kaikoura @johnkeypm says damage much worse than he 1st thought, will cost hundreds of millions and take years to clean up
.@johnkeypm has told reporters the damage to Kaikoura and the surrounding areas is much worse than he first thought.
Updated
at 3.37am GMT
3.03am GMT
03:03
Gaming YouTuber Omega was in the middle of recording a video when the quake struck.
Far from being frightened or even concerned by the strong shaking, he excitedly proclaims: “We’re actually having an earthquake” and seems to be enjoying himself.
6.6 Magnitude Earthquake caught while filming a YouTube Video! (NZ South Island) 😬 pic.twitter.com/GCZqxEg1Xq
2.54am GMT
02:54
Normally bustling Wellington is deserted today as residents heed the call from authorities urging them to stay away.
Wellington resembles a ghost town as residents abandon central city after #eqnz https://t.co/qdEYstfv3r pic.twitter.com/oolnVzlSsg
Feel like we're living on a sleeping dragon who's walking up. New cracks in my building on Cuba Street. #Wellington #eqnz #nz pic.twitter.com/ZjEklvgaWL
It's quiet downtown. #Wellington #earthquake #eqnz pic.twitter.com/fvSes23NfQ
Featherstone Street in Wellington Central. The normally thriving center of Wellington's Business District.#eqnz #WgtnCC #wgtn pic.twitter.com/glDtocLHJB
2.42am GMT
02:42
Damage to Kiwirail network ‘significant’
An update from Kiwirail. https://t.co/2dGvAdRk3x pic.twitter.com/Wb5ctQsYuS
Updated
at 2.43am GMT
2.42am GMT
02:42
NZ Transport Agency 'working urgently' to clear roads
The latest NZTA release says it is trying to reopen roads affected by the earthquake where it is safe to do so, but “there are many sites affected on State Highways 1 and 7”.
State Highway 1, Picton to Blenheim/Seddon is now open but Seddon to Cheviot remains closed. Cheviot to Christchurch is open.
Neil Walker, Transport Agency highway manager:
We are aware that communities have been cut off by slips and we are working urgently with other agencies such as Police, KiwiRail and local authorities to coordinate efforts ensuring people are transported out of closed areas safely, and roads or alternative routes are open and safe to use as soon as possible.”
“We are aware that communities have been cut off by slips and we are working urgently with other agencies such as Police, KiwiRail and local authorities to coordinate efforts ensuring people are transported out of closed areas safely, and roads or alternative routes are open and safe to use as soon as possible.”
Mr Walker said it was too soon to tell how long it will take to assess the damage on all the upper South Island highways in order to open routes, or open up safe detour routes.