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New Zealand Earthquake: FCO Advice

22nd February 2011 A significant 6.3 earthquake hit Christchurch at 12.51 pm local time [2351 GMT], causing widespread destruction and multiple fatalities in the city centre.

Residents in Christchurch are being asked to stay off the roads to allow emergency services to get through. Civil Defence is asking people to stay off their cellphones to allow calls from injured or trapped people to be able to get through to emergency services. They are also asking that if people are injured or trapped to keep trying on 111.

Christchurch Airport has now re-opened. The Ferrymead bridge is reported to be impassable because of rising water. Christchurch hospital is in operation. A Crisis Response Centre has been established at Christchurch Art Gallery.

National Civil Defence says significant aftershocks should now be expected. Police Headquarters (www.police.govt.nz) and Civil Defence (www.civildefence.govt.nz) websites are carrying information on the earthquake in Christchurch.

For further updates please visit the FCO website.

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