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| New Zealand earthquake damages Wellington parliament | New Zealand earthquake damages Wellington parliament |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A minute-long earthquake has shaken New Zealand, halting trains and damaging Wellington's parliament building. | A minute-long earthquake has shaken New Zealand, halting trains and damaging Wellington's parliament building. |
| The 6.5-magnitude tremor was centred 35 miles (57 km) off the coast south of the capital at a depth of 6.3 miles, said the US Geological Survey. | The 6.5-magnitude tremor was centred 35 miles (57 km) off the coast south of the capital at a depth of 6.3 miles, said the US Geological Survey. |
| But while some structural damage and power cuts were reported, officials said there was no risk of a tsunami. | But while some structural damage and power cuts were reported, officials said there was no risk of a tsunami. |
| The quake hit at 17:09 (05:09 GMT) and was felt as far north as Auckland. | The quake hit at 17:09 (05:09 GMT) and was felt as far north as Auckland. |
| It smashed windows, knocked stock off shop shelves and burst some water pipes, but there have been no reports of serious casualties. | It smashed windows, knocked stock off shop shelves and burst some water pipes, but there have been no reports of serious casualties. |
| Wellington resident James Barwell said the earthquake had caused power cuts in the city suburbs and prompted the temporary closure of its airport. | Wellington resident James Barwell said the earthquake had caused power cuts in the city suburbs and prompted the temporary closure of its airport. |
| "There's been a bit of structural damage, lots of shattered glass everywhere," he told the BBC. "Initially there were a few screams and panic, people thought it was another Christchurch." | "There's been a bit of structural damage, lots of shattered glass everywhere," he told the BBC. "Initially there were a few screams and panic, people thought it was another Christchurch." |
| A 6.3-magnitude earthquake centred near Christchurch in February 2011 killed 185 people. | A 6.3-magnitude earthquake centred near Christchurch in February 2011 killed 185 people. |
| Sunday's tremor was the latest in a series that have shaken the lower half of New Zealand's North Island in recent days. | Sunday's tremor was the latest in a series that have shaken the lower half of New Zealand's North Island in recent days. |
| New Zealand lies on the notorious Ring of Fire, the line of frequent quakes and volcanic eruptions that circles virtually the entire Pacific rim. | New Zealand lies on the notorious Ring of Fire, the line of frequent quakes and volcanic eruptions that circles virtually the entire Pacific rim. |
| The country experiences more than 14,000 earthquakes a year, of which only around 20 have a magnitude in excess of 5.0. | The country experiences more than 14,000 earthquakes a year, of which only around 20 have a magnitude in excess of 5.0. |