Thousands in rescue centres after NZ quake

2011-02-22 147


Thousands of residents have gathered in temporary shelters in Christchurch, New Zealand, after a strong earthquake killed at least 65 people.


More casualties are expected as rescuers work to find scores of people trapped inside collapsed buildings. Some bodies have been recovered.


It was the second quake to hit the city of almost 400,000 people in five months, and New Zealand's most deadly natural disaster for 80 years.


The 6.3 magnitude quake struck at lunchtime on Tuesday, when streets and shops thronged with people and offices were still occupied.


Red Cross volunteers have prepared about 1,500 meals for evacuees at one shelter in Christchurch, but said that demand far exceeded supplies, as thousands bunkered down for a long night.

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