N. Zealand PM declares state of emergency

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New Zealand has declared a state of emergency, as it deals with the destruction caused by the quake that struck the country's second largest city on Tuesday.

Centered south of Christchurch, the tremor registered 6.3 on the Richter scale, with a shallow depth of 5 kilometers. The death toll currently stands at 75, and up to 300 people are still missing.

Search and rescue teams have been working through the night, battling against the clock to find survivors - many are using only their bare hands. It's the second strong quake in five months to hit the city.

This is the moment when the quake hit.

As rescuers dig through the rubble, there are fears the death toll could rise further.

Prime Minister John Key has declared a state of emergency, giving the government wider powers to take control of a search and rescue operation, that has been growing by the hour.

John Key, New Zealand Prime Minister, said, "I've just finished chairing an emergency cabinet meeting, the third since the earthquake struck less than 24 hours ago. At cabinet today ministers received the latest advice on the situation on the ground and discussed all elements of the rescue and recovery. Cabinet agreed with the decision made under civil defense emergency legislation by the minister to declare a national state of emergency."

Families of those missing are desperately trying to get any information and are eagerly waiting to be reunited with their loved ones.

"His status is unspecified, so we're hoping that perhaps he's been pulled out and we don't know or they don't who he is."

"I think we just want her home, yea! h. But w e'll see. We just value the prayers of people. If you are a praying person, just remember that there's power in that and we hope for the best, but prepare for the worst."

A group of young British doctors, who survived the quake and are working in a Christchurch hospital, praised local medical staff's efforts and dedication.

"I think the most amazing thing's just been, you know, as soon everyone picked themselves up and dusted off yesterday, dusted themselves off, everyone was straight into kind of 'what can we do, where we should be', and people's, you know, people's resourcefulness in events like this is amazing."

Christchurch has been hit by hundreds of aftershocks since a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck on September 4th last year, causing extensive damage and a handful of injuries, but no deaths.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei |Source: CNTV.CN


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