New Zealand’s darkest day

SEARCH for survivors in the rubble of a collapsed building in the centre of Christchurch. Picture courtesy Press Association

Search and rescue teams sifting through the rubble in quake-stricken Christchurch entered a second day of toil today as the disaster’s death toll rose to 75.

Some 300 people are still missing, although it is not know how many lay trapped under the collapsed buildings and debris that showered the city when the 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck.

A British aid team was due to leave Gatwick to fly to New Zealand’s South Island this morning and join the rescue mission, which has been put at risk by a series of smaller aftershocks.

The British Foreign Office is “urgently” seeking information about any other UK casualties after a British man was confirmed dead this morning.

A spokesman said: “We are in close touch with the local authorities and are urgently seeking information.

“The High Commission in Wellington has mobilised a consular response and stand ready to provide any consular assistance that is required.”

Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday telephoned his New Zealand counterpart John Key to pledge his support, after a national state of emergency was declared.

A Downing Street spokesman said: “They discussed the latest situation on the ground. The Prime Minister reiterated Britain’s sympathies and condolences at this difficult time.”

Rescuers are concentrating their efforts on the ruins of around a dozen buildings that collapsed or were badly damaged in the town centre, amid fears that more than 100 could still be buried.

“There are bodies littering the streets, they are trapped in cars, crushed under rubble and where they are clearly deceased our focus has turned to the living,” police Supt Russell Gibson said.

The officer said 39 bodies had been identified at a temporary morgue at the central police station.

Christchurch mayor Bob Parker confirmed 120 people were rescued from wrecked buildings as teams worked through the night, while more bodies were also recovered.

Police today called off a search of the levelled Canterbury Television building, where a number of people, including foreign nationals, are still feared trapped, because of safety concerns.

Mr Key confirmed that at least 75 people had been killed, but Supt Gibson said the final figure “will be considerably higher than that.”

The Queen, Prince of Wales and Prince William have also sent messages to the New Zealand Premier in wake of the disaster.

The monarch — and New Zealand Head of State –—spoke of her shock at the devastation caused by the quake.

“I have been utterly shocked by the news of another earthquake in Christchurch,” she said yesterday.

The quake struck around six miles outside Christchurch during lunchtime rush-hour yesterday.

Eyewitnesses said the three-mile-deep tremor, believed to be an aftershock from a 7.1–magnitude earthquake which struck last September, levelled high-rise buildings, tore up pavements and sprayed rubble on to the streets below.

It also toppled the spire of the city’s historic stone cathedral.

Mr Key warned that the incident could prove to be “New Zealand’s darkest day”.

Mr Cameron said: “I believe I speak on behalf of everyone in our country when I say that we all stand with New Zealand at this dark and difficult time.”

The British search and rescue team due to be deployed to Christchurch today will comprise fire services staff from across the UK.