Race to rescue trapped quake survivors
Updated 38 minutes ago
Screams can be heard from people trapped inside the scores of buildings destroyed by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake that has rocked the New Zealand city of Christchurch.
Prime minister John Key says at least 65 people have died. The city's emergency services are being stretched to the limit as they begin a widespread rescue and recovery operation.
Details of the overall devastation remain sketchy, but dozens of buildings have collapsed or been severely damaged, while many roads have buckled and streets are flooded by burst water mains.
The US Geological Survey said the quake struck near the city at a shallow depth of just four kilometres shortly before 12:50pm (local time) with the city at its busiest.
Television pictures show bloodied people being helped along city streets by rescuers.
Police said central city was being evacuated, with deaths reported at several locations including two buses crushed by falling buildings and the implosion of a local youth hostel.
Hospitals across the South Island are clearing patients to make room for the injured.
* At least 17 confirmed dead
* Quake has caused multiple deaths
* Second major quake to hit city in five months
* Extensive damage in city, power cuts
* City has run out of ambulances
* 5.6-magnitude aftershocks recorded
* A level 3 emergency has been declared
* Contact DFAT on 1300 555 135
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