Massive earthquake in Christchurch, NZ, 22 Feb 2011

[JDK]

Shocking news from a beautiful city - I was showing some friends around the RAAFM when the story came in. Quoting Dave Homewood:

Following on from the big earthquake last year and months of rumbling, sadly Christchurch city in Canterbury, new Zealand, has had a massive, devastating quake this afternoon and though it was less than the initial quake (6.3 magnitude this time) the pictures on TV and reports seem like it's much worse.

The iconic Cathedral in the centre of the city has been destroyed, and many more buildings have come down and cars been crushed.

There are also unsubstantiated reports of fatalities this time. The first big quake was miraculous in that no-one was killed.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the city.

It's very upsetting, Christchurch is a wonderful place and my favourite city in the world. There are also some important aircraft collections there.

Since Dave's post on Plane Talk, the current death toll stands at 65, and will definitely rise. International offers of help have been made, and a search and rescue team is heading over from Australia, I'm pleased to say. On Dave's NZ forum, most of the Christchurch forum members have checked in.

Currently no news from the RNZAF Museum on Dave's forum, fingers crossed though, it is apparently on more 'solid ground' than the city - right now there are more important things to worry about, of course.

Good wishes and (for those who do) prayers will be appreciated by our Kiwi cousins.

[The Inspector]

Does anyone have a first person type update as to what's going on? The 'news', print, local TV, National TV sort of skims the post earthquake goings on in an 'oh, yeah-by the way' manner then moves along like a magnet to the next pile of iron filings it can raise up among those of low knowledge.