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 7 | Version 8 |
---|---|
Two UK dead in New Zealand quake | Two UK dead in New Zealand quake |
(about 4 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 the 113 confirmed victims of the earthquake 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 228 people still missing. | |
He said: "They got on a certain bus, which was crushed by falling masonry." | 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. | 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. | 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 228 people are missing in the South Island city - including 122 believed to have been in one collapsed building where it is thought no-one could have survived. | |
They have insisted that they are still carrying out a rescue operation but no survivors have been found since Wednesday afternoon. | |
'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. |