Earthquake news

Photo of Christchurch city taken seconds after the quake.

Help continues to stream in to Christchurch from all over the world. The level of international help is tremendous - there are a total of about 750 overseas Urban Rescue experts now in Christchurch. These include teams from Australia, Japan, Singapore and the US.

But hope is fading for people still trapped in buildings.

Words from our Prime Minister, John Key.

"These deaths are the greatest loss. They remind us that in the end buildings are just buildings, roads are just roads. But people are irreplaceable," said Mr Key. "Know that your humanity is more powerful than any act of Mother Nature."

80 per cent of the city is without reticulated water, 40 per cent of the city without power. Water tankers are bringing in water and people are collecting it at points around the city. There is no sewage in most parts of the city.

A student volunteer army organised by the University of Canterbury Student Association has been gathered via social networking site Facebook to help those suffering in the wake of Tuesday's devastating earthquake in Christchurch.
"We are working closely with Civil Defence in this operation. At this very early stage we are focusing on helping everyday people in their homes in low risk areas with non-life threatening situations," student organiser Sam Johnson says.
Volunteers should arrive at the UCSA car park on Ilam Road between 9am and 10am today and bring shovels, wheelbarrows, gloves, raincoats, sunblock and drink bottles."