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New Zealand earthquake: thousands stranded and towns cut off – live New Zealand earthquake: thousands stranded and towns cut off – as it happened
(35 minutes later)
8.54am GMT
08:54
As New Zealand counts the costs of the earthquake, Eleanor Ainge Roy in Hanmer Springs, rounds up the latest developments.
That’s it for the live blog for now. There will be more updates on our New Zealand earthquake 2016 page.
8.42am GMT
08:42
Simon Rooke, commanding officer of HMNZS Canterbury the ship being sent to the worst-hit areas, says his priority will be rescuing 500 stranded tourists.
“Our main aim is to get the people out first,” he said.
Commanding Officer of HMNZS Canterbury, Simon Rooke chats with us before the ship departs tonight for Kaikoura ⚓️// #eqnz #earthquake pic.twitter.com/jZ6Qm19VIz
8.32am GMT8.32am GMT
08:3208:32
Heavy rain has added to the risk of land slides, Wellington city council has warned.Heavy rain has added to the risk of land slides, Wellington city council has warned.
The region’s acting civil defence controller, Anthony Wilson, says: “The conditions are right for landslips – so motorists should be extra vigilant, especially on blind bends. Better still, stay home if you can.”The region’s acting civil defence controller, Anthony Wilson, says: “The conditions are right for landslips – so motorists should be extra vigilant, especially on blind bends. Better still, stay home if you can.”
Some buildings in Wellington are still be checked for earthquake damange. People are being urged to check with their employers on the safety of their workplace before returning to work.Some buildings in Wellington are still be checked for earthquake damange. People are being urged to check with their employers on the safety of their workplace before returning to work.
8.12am GMT8.12am GMT
08:1208:12
“The earthquake was the worst I’ve ever experienced,” emails reader Brian Jones, who lives in in Lower Hutt, 40km north of Wellington.“The earthquake was the worst I’ve ever experienced,” emails reader Brian Jones, who lives in in Lower Hutt, 40km north of Wellington.
But life is slowly getting back to normal despite the aftershocks, he says.But life is slowly getting back to normal despite the aftershocks, he says.
There was no damage to my house or contents, but my house was built in 2000 to modern earthquake codes. My neighbours are all fine to. We didn’t lose power or utilities, but there was power outages to Upper Hutt, to the north of us, and to the Lower Hutt.There was no damage to my house or contents, but my house was built in 2000 to modern earthquake codes. My neighbours are all fine to. We didn’t lose power or utilities, but there was power outages to Upper Hutt, to the north of us, and to the Lower Hutt.
All power is now restored. The trains and buses are now running again into Wellington. I even went shopping at the supermarket this afternoon.All power is now restored. The trains and buses are now running again into Wellington. I even went shopping at the supermarket this afternoon.
There has been a steady stream of military helicopters flying from Trentham (the NZ Army base just north of us) to the south. The aftershocks are trying - we have earthquakes of magnitude 3-5 every 3-5 minutes. Hopefully back to work tomorrow.There has been a steady stream of military helicopters flying from Trentham (the NZ Army base just north of us) to the south. The aftershocks are trying - we have earthquakes of magnitude 3-5 every 3-5 minutes. Hopefully back to work tomorrow.
8.07am GMT8.07am GMT
08:0708:07
A breach in the Clarence River, north of Kaikoura, is not as severe as previously feared, according to civil defence authorities.A breach in the Clarence River, north of Kaikoura, is not as severe as previously feared, according to civil defence authorities.
They warned people to stay away from the river but have decided not to evacuate residents.They warned people to stay away from the river but have decided not to evacuate residents.
The Clarence river has partly breached and the volume of water is less than initially thought.River engineers will be in first thing 2mrw.The Clarence river has partly breached and the volume of water is less than initially thought.River engineers will be in first thing 2mrw.
The New Zealand news site Stuff says a land slide dammed the river about 10km upstream from the mouth, north of Kaikoura. The banked-up water burst through the wall of debris about 4.20pm. A helicopter in the area saw the breach and the water beginning to roll downstream.The New Zealand news site Stuff says a land slide dammed the river about 10km upstream from the mouth, north of Kaikoura. The banked-up water burst through the wall of debris about 4.20pm. A helicopter in the area saw the breach and the water beginning to roll downstream.
7.58am GMT7.58am GMT
07:5807:58
AP has footage of those stranded cows on a tiny of clumped of grass somewhere near Kaikoura.AP has footage of those stranded cows on a tiny of clumped of grass somewhere near Kaikoura.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.03am GMTat 8.03am GMT
7.54am GMT7.54am GMT
07:5407:54
Are you in New Zealand? Share your experience of the quake and its aftermathAre you in New Zealand? Share your experience of the quake and its aftermath
Sarah MarshSarah Marsh
You can share your eyewitness accounts, photos and videos or news tips direct with our journalists via our GuardianWitness page. Please think about your security first when recording and sharing your content.You can share your eyewitness accounts, photos and videos or news tips direct with our journalists via our GuardianWitness page. Please think about your security first when recording and sharing your content.
7.51am GMT7.51am GMT
07:5107:51
Aerial photos taken by New Zealand’s airforce show “massive rockfalls in several areas in the upper South Island”, according to a Facebook update from the defence force.Aerial photos taken by New Zealand’s airforce show “massive rockfalls in several areas in the upper South Island”, according to a Facebook update from the defence force.
Darryn Webb, the Acting Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, said” “It is clear from the photos taken by our personnel that the major route from Christchurch to Kaikoura is impassable. So is the road from Kaikoura to Hanmer Springs and the one from Blenheim to Kaikoura.”Darryn Webb, the Acting Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, said” “It is clear from the photos taken by our personnel that the major route from Christchurch to Kaikoura is impassable. So is the road from Kaikoura to Hanmer Springs and the one from Blenheim to Kaikoura.”
The NZDF also confirmed that HMNZS Canterbury has been deployed to help evacuate “a large number of tourists and residents in Kaikoura”, as well as bring aid supplies to the worst hit areas.The NZDF also confirmed that HMNZS Canterbury has been deployed to help evacuate “a large number of tourists and residents in Kaikoura”, as well as bring aid supplies to the worst hit areas.
7.25am GMT7.25am GMT
07:2507:25
I am handing over to my colleague Matthew Weaver now. He will keep you up to date with all the latest developments as a battered New Zealand prepares for storms to hit overnight. Thanks for reading.I am handing over to my colleague Matthew Weaver now. He will keep you up to date with all the latest developments as a battered New Zealand prepares for storms to hit overnight. Thanks for reading.
7.02am GMT7.02am GMT
07:0207:02
What we know so farWhat we know so far
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.56am GMTat 7.56am GMT
6.42am GMT6.42am GMT
06:4206:42
'Like living on a waking dragon''Like living on a waking dragon'
New Zealanders are counting the cost of the earthquake that swallowed roads, twisted railway lines and left towns and cities smashed and deserted.New Zealanders are counting the cost of the earthquake that swallowed roads, twisted railway lines and left towns and cities smashed and deserted.
Read our latest full report on the aftermath of the 7.5-magnitude quake here:Read our latest full report on the aftermath of the 7.5-magnitude quake here:
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.57am GMTat 7.57am GMT
6.26am GMT
06:26
Aerial footage shows devastation after the earthquake
6.13am GMT
06:13
As darkness begins to fall, people affected by the earthquake are making plans for how they will spend the night. Some will sleep in community centres and town halls, while others will pitch tents under the stars, hoping for a much quieter night than the one that went before it.
People planning to sleep inside have their “grab gear” ready in case of another midnight earthquake.
Grab gear ready #eqnz pic.twitter.com/EHB9EJJkqF
Mark and Lisa Skett are in Hanmer Springs, close to the epicentre of the quake. The couple are on holiday from Stratford Upon Avon in Britain and were sleeping in their campervan when the quake hit. Mark writes:
Last night was extremely frightening as the campervan was almost tipping over.
A lot of people have left thinking they will be able to get to Christchurch. We chose to stay as there are warnings of landslides and with rain expected this could potentially make the situation much worse. Will try driving to Christchurch tomorrow, this is only road open from here.
At time of writing there are strong winds building up too.”
Updated
at 6.20am GMT
6.02am GMT
06:02
Simon Makker, the Red Cross recovery communications manager, has told the Guardian that most of the efforts in Kaikoura were centred around the marae, which was the main welfare centre in the area.Tonight up to 100 people would stay there, he said.
We’ve just flown in and roads and bridges are cut up, but local people are still using the roads. There is a tiny bit of cellphone reception around the marae, but it’s patchy.”
The Air Force had arrived and would fly four loads of people out of Kaikoura, he said.
Makker did not know how people were being prioritised for evacuation.Some tourists who haven’t been to the marae welfare centre did not know about the evacuations, he said he would be going around hotels, motels and venues to inform tourists tomorrow.He said he would probably be in the town for five days.
Meanwhile, power is back on in Kaikoura and Hanmer Springs.
#earthquake #NewZealand . power back on to Kaikoura and Hamner Springs.. Well done to all. #eqnz
Updated
at 6.29am GMT
5.58am GMT
05:58
A radio newsreader displayed nerves of steel as she continued broadcasting during the earthquake.
Vicki McKay was in the middle of reading the latest sports news when the quake hit. She managed to stay calm and collected despite the violent shaking, some of which was audible.
Listen to the moment Overnight presenter Vicki McKay announced the 7.5 magnitude earthquake live on air: https://t.co/A2qwDPKFHO #eqnz
Updated
at 5.58am GMT
5.34am GMT
05:34
'Two weeks until the roads open'
More from Kaikoura:
A spokesman from Takahanga Marae has been open since 12.30am and has has catered to 500 people today. They have food and gas cookers, but no water or sewerage. Sir Mark Solomon of Ngai Tahu, the principal Māori iwi of the southern region of New Zealand, described Oaru bridge as being “snapped in half”.
Katarina Kroll, from Britain, was on honeymoon with her husband in Kaikoura when the quake hit. She told the Guardian via email from the hospital that the pair were now trying to get out.
We’re stranded here, there’s no access as the state highway is closed by huge land slips and roads cracked on either side of the peninsula.
We’ve signed up to a helicopter register that in theory would take us to Christchurch but not sure if that will come to fruition. They’re saying two weeks before the roads open.”
Updated
at 5.43am GMT
5.26am GMT
05:26
One of my colleagues has dropped a pin over the epicentre of the quake:
According to the @USGS this bit of ground is the point exactly above the Earthquake epicentre #eqnz pic.twitter.com/OVwClhtgam
5.21am GMT
05:21
Update on the missing kayakers:
A group of kayakers thought missing on the Clarence River are safe.
5.20am GMT
05:20
Spate of burglaries reported
At least 19 burglaries have been reported at homes and businesses in New Zealand’s earthquake-hit Canterbury region.
District commander superintendent John Price said it was extremely disappointing that some people are interested only in taking advantage of a traumatic event, according to the Australian Associated Press.
“This sort of offending really scrapes the bottom of the barrel, especially for Cantabrians who have endured so much heartache in similar circumstances over the last five years,” he said.
“I want to assure residents that Canterbury police will do everything in their power to find the people responsible for this disgusting spate of crime.”
5.19am GMT
05:19
Damage bill from earthquake could amount to 'a couple of billion dollars'
John Key, the prime minister, has indicated that the damage bill from the earthquake that hit the nation’s South Island overnight is likely to be at least “a couple of billion dollars”, according to Radio New Zealand said.
“It’s hard to believe that the bill is going to be less than a couple of billion,” he said.
I visited Kaikoura this afternoon to see how locals are coping after today's earthquake & see first-hand the damage.https://t.co/AguYWcE2hU
Updated
at 5.38am GMT
5.12am GMT
05:12
Mapping the earthquakes
Nick Evershed
My colleague Nick Evershed has created this animation of earthquakes that have hit New Zealand in the 12 hours since midnight.