New Zealand City, Rocked by Quake, Declares Emergency
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Christchurch, New Zealand’s second-largest city, declared a state of emergency after the nation’s South Island was rocked by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake that cut power, damaged roads and ripped facades off buildings.
The quake, about 55 kilometers (34 miles) west-northwest of the city and at a depth of 12 kilometers, hit at 4:35 a.m. local time, rupturing sewer lines and water pipes and closing the airport. One person received serious injuries in the quake, with early government estimates revealing damage may amount to NZ$2 billion ($1.44 billion).