A large 6.3 magnitude earthquake has struck Christchurch leaving badly damaged buildings in the city centre and reports of extensive casualties.
It is the second quake to hit New Zealand in five months. A 7.1 magnitude quake caused extensive damage in the city last September.
First photographs carried on news websites show badly damaged buildings around Cathedral Square, one of the city’s tourist draw cards.The cathedral itself was extensively damaged.
There were reports of people being trapped in buildings across the city and bus passengers were reported to be trapped under falling debris.
The airport was closed after its tower collapsed.
