Panic in this office in New Zealand, as another earthquake strikes just two days before Christmas.
A total of four quakes rocked Christchurch, causing rockfalls and driving terrified residents from buildings, 10 months after a quake killed almost 200 people in the South Island city.
The tremors struck as shoppers thronged malls and supermarkets in the lead-up to Christmas.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN OUTSIDE STORE, SAYING:
"And there were people running to try and get out, and stuff. It was pretty chaotic."
(SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED MAN OUTSIDE STORE, SAYING:
"Pretty violent. It was a bit freaky. I've not been in a building that had stuff falling off the shelves towards you."
Christchurch police said there were no reports of casualties or widespread damage but the quakes have shattered the nerves of many who had been slowly getting their lives back to normal.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN, SAYING:
"It's beyond devastating. It's happened again. I'm sick of it. I'm going to a motel now. I've had enough."
Geonet New Zealand said the initial quake measured 5.8 on the Richter scale and was followed by a series of strong aftershocks.
They warn that more earthquakes are likely to hit the city - a reminder that the area is more seismologically active following the big September 2010 earthquake.
Sunita Rappai, Reuters
