Christchurch New Zealand

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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 4:14 am

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10708013

Any Eater members down that way, check in when you can please

edit: update http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10708086

Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 4:41 am

My niece and her husband live in Christchurch. My sister (her mother) just passed this on to us...

Quote:

.... H* and M* are OK. Although, it seems like M* can't get home as the bridge across the Waimakariri River is down. There is major damage to highways, and overpasses. There is no power in most of Christchurch, and water mains are broken and flooding the streets, hampering rescue efforts.

THE NEWS REPORTS ARE NOT EXACGERATED. Whereas the 7.1 earthquake occurred at 4am in the morning, the downtown area was basically deserted and there was no traffic. This quake struck just before noon Tuesday and downtown was crammed with workers. Buildings have collapsed, buses have been crushed by falling debris. The military is in full operation to rescue people and shore up buildings. There is widespread devastation and loss of life this time.

The damage I saw when I was there after the Sept 7th Earthquake was devastating, compared to what I've experienced in Los Angeles. Whole business offices downtown collapsed in upon themselves. THEN, there were no employees in them. NOT The case this time.
Buildings are torn in half, many collapsed, some escaped with their lives. Not everyone did. It’s REALLY Bad this time. The CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL (After which the city is named) had almost NO damage last time.
Over 200 people are still trapped in the Pyne Building in downtown which has completely collapsed. Screams can be heard from inside. Hospitals are majorly damaged and being evacuated, water is bubbling up from broken rubble in the streets.

Our prayers go out to all of them.

Master Baiter Joined: 14 Feb 2011 Posts: 164

In New Zealand, but on another island and miles away from the earthquake.

But the place is a real mess. 65 dead and counting.

The same place had a bigger earthquake last Sepember, but that one was at 4am - so no-one was on the streets and fatalities were zero.

Today's one struck just after lunch when the city was packed with people.

Neutral

The iconic Christchurch Cathedral:

Before:

After:

Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 6:26 am

I grew up in Dunedin but did spend quite a bit of time in Christchurch and surrounding districts staying with family. So very sad and all our love and thoughts go out to those who have lost loved ones in this disaster. We are waiting to hear of family but can only hope that 'no news is good news'.
As we now live in Queensland, and all that the state has had to cope with the whole family is saying that the northern hemisphere is looking decidedly safe to move to now.

Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 8:40 am

My thoughts are with you down there.

Baiting Guru Joined: 19 Mar 2007 Posts: 2628

I heard about this on the World Service during the night.
Just seen the pictures on the BBC news site.

My heart goes out to you all in NZ and to those worrying about family and friends

Master Baiter Joined: 14 Feb 2011 Posts: 164

Thanks, guys.

The top of that church pictured.... there were tourists up there, enjoying the view of the city.
They're now on the ground, under the rubble - alive or dead.

Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 9:23 am

It's terrible. My thoughts are with you guys and girls down under. Sad

Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 10:31 am

Awful. I have fond memories of a weekend spent in Christchurch, and lots of photos of a quiet, calm place.

I watch the reports with a sense of disbelief. I think my inlaws (on a World cruise) were there last week.

My deepest condolences to anyone affected.

here · Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 10:50 am

this is RL with vengeance, all my prayers and thoughts to everyone there or anyone here with relatives impacted

my sister moved back from Christchurch to Jo'burg end of last year so she has friends / relatives there - my sister has 3 nationalities / passports, it's err "complicated" as is everything she does Rolling Eyes

Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 11:00 am

Google has set up a website for information about missing victims.
http://christchurch-2011.person-finder.appspot.com/

Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 11:44 am

Got a friend in New Brighton - the whole suburb has been described as unliveable. I presume she is alright as it's mainly single storey dwellings there.
Here in the North Island, though the shock was apparently felt in the bottom third, the main result was a massive overloading of the phone systems.
My son was in Chch till recently. Glad he got out.

Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 11:49 am

My family's hearts and prayers are with the people of Christchurch today

Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 1:00 pm

This is horrible. My thoughts are with them.

Master of Master Baiters Joined: 26 Sep 2008 Posts: 689

There's a picture of the foot of that cathedral tower on the BBC news website, just a large pile of rubble. If anyone was up there .... nuff said.

My heart goes out to all those involved. Crying or Very sad

Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 1:42 pm

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected. Please keep us updated when you can.

Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 2:01 pm

So sad and I'll keep this in my prayers.

Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 3:35 pm

I can't begin to imagine the devastation and disaster. My thoughts and prayers are for all those involved, and particular for any Eater members and their families affected. Crying or Very sad

Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 5:09 pm

Our prayers are with everyone affected.

We have horrid hurricanes, but we are warned and can escape.

Earthquakes give no warning and no chance of escape.

Baiting Guru Joined: 19 Mar 2007 Posts: 2628

My daughter has a friend living and working in Christchurch.
She's just heard through his family that he's ok, no more details
It must be awful when even emergency services are badly hit, makes me grateful that me and mine are safe and well

Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 8:27 pm

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10708166

update

Master Baiter Joined: 14 Feb 2011 Posts: 164

We've received and gratefully accepted offers of help from Australia, England, America and other places.
They're all sending recovery specialists experienced in searching for survivors through disasters like this.

Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 9:59 pm

This is absolutely terrible! I hope all our Eater members are OK. Prayers to all the people in and around the disaster!

Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 12:18 am

MarkStJohn wrote:

They're all sending recovery specialists experienced in searching for survivors through disasters like this.

Yes, I've just read that at least one team from Los Angeles, Calif. is on its way to you. They are very experienced (for all the wrong reasons, unfortunately), and hopefully will be of assistance.

Times like these I just wanna waive my magic wand and make it all better. Crying or Very sad

Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 12:35 am

Thanks for the linky, Mr Tambourine Man.
Family's still trying to get an accurate head count.