Tuesday 22 February 2011

Christchurch Earthquake!

chchwww.stuff.co.nz

Our thoughts go out to everyone in Christchurch New Zealand after the devastating earthquake.  Google has set up a website to try and find any relatives or friends here. We were alerted to the news this morning from our friends Elizabeth and John from Narrowboat Helen Louise who own a home there.

This Earthquake is now one of the worst NZ has ever experienced, the Napier earthquake of 1931 which measured 7.5 on the Richter scale. It was also more intense lasting for 2½ minutes and totally flattening the city centres of Napier and Hastings killing 256 and injuring thousands.

If the latest earthquake had lasted as long as the Napier earthquake did then I fear the situation could be far worse than the present outcome. One thing is for sure that Christchurch city centre will never be the same again as there will probably be some major demolition of unsafe buildings and rebuilding which will take many years to complete.

With hotels in the city now damaged this may affect the Rugby World cup being held in NZ in September. Any Christchurch events may well have to be moved to other locations.

2 comments:

Mary and Tony Price said...

The news is even worse. The death toll in the latest earth quake is expected to exceed the Napier one. NZ is in a state of emergency, the first time this has ever been implemented. It is very sad for all NZers.

Derek and Dot said...

Hi Mary
Yes it is becoming worse by the minute. Heard from Brenda yet?