This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-12564832
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Two UK dead in New Zealand quake | Two UK dead in New Zealand quake |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Two Britons died in the earthquake that devastated Christchurch in New Zealand, the Foreign Office has said. | Two Britons died in the earthquake that devastated Christchurch in New Zealand, the Foreign Office has said. |
| One has been named as Gregory Tobin, a 25-year-old chef, from Tadcaster, North Yorkshire. | One has been named as Gregory Tobin, a 25-year-old chef, from Tadcaster, North Yorkshire. |
| They are among 98 victims whose bodies were taken to a temporary mortuary and their next of kin have been informed. | They are among 98 victims whose bodies were taken to a temporary mortuary and their next of kin have been informed. |
| British High Commission spokesman Chris Harrington said two other British men are believed to be among the 226 people still missing. | |
| He said: "They got on a certain bus, which was crushed by falling masonry." | |
| Mr Harrington said another Briton was in Christchurch Hospital with a fractured skull, broken clavicle and broken ribs but was expected to make a full recovery. | |
| The earthquake struck the city at a shallow depth of 5km (3.1 miles) early in the afternoon on Tuesday. | |
| Mr Tobin had been on a round-the-world trip and had been working at a garage in Christchurch. | Mr Tobin had been on a round-the-world trip and had been working at a garage in Christchurch. |
| One of the tributes to him on Facebook read: "Such a nice guy and at such a young age." | One of the tributes to him on Facebook read: "Such a nice guy and at such a young age." |
| Police have said 226 people are missing in the South Island city and they have insisted they are still carrying out a rescue operation. | Police have said 226 people are missing in the South Island city and they have insisted they are still carrying out a rescue operation. |
| 'Always a chance' | 'Always a chance' |
| A British search-and-rescue team has recently landed in Christchurch, joining others from the US, Japan and Australia. | A British search-and-rescue team has recently landed in Christchurch, joining others from the US, Japan and Australia. |
| Its spokesman, Peter Crook, told the BBC his specialist unit was hoping to find survivors. | Its spokesman, Peter Crook, told the BBC his specialist unit was hoping to find survivors. |
| "We're two-and-a-half days into the earthquake now so that's when the window is starting to close for the most common rescues," he said. | "We're two-and-a-half days into the earthquake now so that's when the window is starting to close for the most common rescues," he said. |
| "There is always a chance and the rescue effort will keep going for several days yet. | "There is always a chance and the rescue effort will keep going for several days yet. |
| "History tells us that people can get rescued from the deepest, hardest places to find, sometimes five, six, seven, eight days after the earthquake." | "History tells us that people can get rescued from the deepest, hardest places to find, sometimes five, six, seven, eight days after the earthquake." |
| He said the 65-strong team was drawn from 13 different fire services in the UK and they had brought a "planeload" of heavy rescue equipment. | He said the 65-strong team was drawn from 13 different fire services in the UK and they had brought a "planeload" of heavy rescue equipment. |
| "The teams that have been here for several days are now getting very exhausted so we're effectively going to come in and release some of those teams," he added. | "The teams that have been here for several days are now getting very exhausted so we're effectively going to come in and release some of those teams," he added. |
| Back in the UK, the Prince of Wales has signed a book of condolence at New Zealand House in central London. | Back in the UK, the Prince of Wales has signed a book of condolence at New Zealand House in central London. |
| The prince, who met High Commissioner Derek Leask, wrote: "With my deepest possible sympathy for the people of New Zealand at such a time of tragedy." | The prince, who met High Commissioner Derek Leask, wrote: "With my deepest possible sympathy for the people of New Zealand at such a time of tragedy." |
| Helplines | Helplines |
| The Foreign Office has set up a crisis centre at a hotel near Christchurch airport to issue emergency passports and help its citizens escape the quake zone. | The Foreign Office has set up a crisis centre at a hotel near Christchurch airport to issue emergency passports and help its citizens escape the quake zone. |
| "We have a large consular team on the ground, including our High Commissioner to New Zealand, Vicki Treadell, who are providing full consular assistance to any British nationals that require it," a spokesman said. | "We have a large consular team on the ground, including our High Commissioner to New Zealand, Vicki Treadell, who are providing full consular assistance to any British nationals that require it," a spokesman said. |
| "The High Commission in Wellington has been reinforced with additional staff, and we stand ready to send further reinforcements from our posts in the region if required." | "The High Commission in Wellington has been reinforced with additional staff, and we stand ready to send further reinforcements from our posts in the region if required." |
| A helpline on 020 7008 8765 has been set up for concerned friends and relatives in the UK. | A helpline on 020 7008 8765 has been set up for concerned friends and relatives in the UK. |
| British nationals in New Zealand are advised to call 049 242 898 for advice and assistance. The Foreign Office website has more information about the consular assistance being provided. | British nationals in New Zealand are advised to call 049 242 898 for advice and assistance. The Foreign Office website has more information about the consular assistance being provided. |
| Meanwhile, tributes have been paid to Irishman Owen McKenna, originally from Emyvale in County Monaghan, who died in the 6.3-magnitude quake when his car was crushed by falling debris. | Meanwhile, tributes have been paid to Irishman Owen McKenna, originally from Emyvale in County Monaghan, who died in the 6.3-magnitude quake when his car was crushed by falling debris. |
| The 41-year-old was married to a woman from New Zealand and had two children of primary school age. | The 41-year-old was married to a woman from New Zealand and had two children of primary school age. |
| Fabian Murphy, an old school friend, last saw Mr McKenna when he returned home for a short visit in July 2009. | Fabian Murphy, an old school friend, last saw Mr McKenna when he returned home for a short visit in July 2009. |
| "He was as funny as ever. I have known him since we were four years old," Mr Murphy said. "We'll really miss him." | "He was as funny as ever. I have known him since we were four years old," Mr Murphy said. "We'll really miss him." |
| Two Irishmen are still missing and one of them is trapped in a collapsed building. | Two Irishmen are still missing and one of them is trapped in a collapsed building. |
| Christchurch city centre remains closed and many residents are spending another night in evacuation centres. | Christchurch city centre remains closed and many residents are spending another night in evacuation centres. |
| The airport reopened on Wednesday, and military planes were brought in to fly tourists to other cities. | The airport reopened on Wednesday, and military planes were brought in to fly tourists to other cities. |