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NZ: Aftershocks, Rescue Attempts, Casualties, And The Mounting Toll

 

 

# 5331

 

 


Damage reports continue to come in from quake stricken Christchurch overnight as rescuers sift through pancaked buildings looking for survivors. 

 

The news is grim, with reports of scores still trapped, and dozens of fatalities.  Cold temperatures and rain are not only making residents – many unable or unwilling to stay indoors – miserable, but are also complicating rescue and cleanup activities.

 

The NZ Herald has extensive coverage, including:

 

Christchurch Earthquake: Workers trapped in crushed buildings

10:03 PM Tuesday Feb 22, 2011One of the buildings damaged by the 6.3 earthquake. Photo / Mark Mitchell

One of the buildings damaged by the 6.3 earthquake. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Up to 35 workers are trapped in two prominent Christchurch buildings, hard hit in today's 6.3 magnitude quake.

Thirty people are believed trapped in the Pyne Gould financial services building on Cambridge Terrace, with another five trapped in the Christchurch Press building.

(Continue . . . )

 

 

Despite their smaller size, the city has been damaged far more heavily by this latest quake, and the numerous ongoing aftershocks, that it was during the September 7.1 magnitude quake. 

 

These temblors are both closer in to the center of the city (10 km) and shallower (3 km).

 

With winter approaching, and a number of homes destroyed (and many of those still habitable likely to have sustained additional chimney damage), residents will find many new challenges ahead.

 

The physical damage of an earthquake can take years to recover from.   The emotional damage – for some – can last a lifetime.

 

Many Christchurch residents had spent the last few months working to put their houses, businesses, and lives back in order after the September quake, only to find their efforts undone in a matter of seconds by last night’s temblor.

 

And the numerous aftershocks (several dozen over 3.5 magnitude in the first 10 hours) are an abrupt and ongoing reminder that the earth remains violent and uncertain beneath their feet.

 


While not approaching the impact of last year’s Haitian earthquake, the misery, heartache, and economic toll of last night’s quake are quite substantial and serve as another reminder that disasters can strike anywhere, and at any time.

 

I’ll return in my next blog with a long list of earthquake and disaster preparedness information.

Related Post:

Earthquake

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