UPE 2011

By Jarrod Booker and NZ Herald staff

11:35 AM Saturday Sep 4, 2010

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker is thankful there has been no loss of life but there had been considerable damage across the city and outlying areas.

The city has been left devastated after a massive 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck 30km west of the city at 4.35am this morning.

The quake was at a depth of 33km and was centred near Darfield, and has left large parts of the area without power, water or telephones.

Mr Parker said he did not want to overstate the level of damage "but I think it's like an iceberg. There is, in a sense, below the visible line significant structural damage."

"There would not be a house or a family in our city that has not in some way had damage done to their person and or their property," Mr Parker said.

"Our thoughts are with our people. We know that a lot of people will be very nervous, deeply disturbed." Scientists have described this morning's earthquake as the most significant since the 1931 magnitude 7.8 Hawke's Bay earthquake.

Mr Parker said electricity was being slowly restored to the city but there were still concerns about the situation with water and waste water. He said the inner city was being closed down, city residents are being asked to save water and not flush the toilet, not to go "rubbernecking", and check on their neighbours. Mr Parker also said the worst problems seem to be centred in the city's eastern suburbs and rural areas in outlying Christchurch.

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