Tragedy in Christchurch as 6.3 R Earthquake Devastates City...75 Confirmed deaths

Source:Stuff NZ 

'It doesn't matter where you are in the world, you are always a kiwi at heart and hurt for your country in it's hour of need when tragedy strikes. We are a small country that has suffered devastating tragedies in the last few months. We love you New Zealand. You can take a kiwi out of the country but you can't take the kiwi out of our hearts'   

Vera Zivadinovic Georgiou - one of our Griwis living in Australia

We all listened to the news in disbelief as we struggled to come to grips with the tragic news we all woke up to in Athens this morning ... 

Christchurch, one of the loveliest of New Zealand's cities had had a major earthquake - 6.3 on the Richter scale, smaller than September's but much more destructive as it took place at 1 in the afternoon with a lot of people around... 65 people confirmed dead and a worst case scenario of possibly up to 400 human lives - a tragedy for our people and for New Zealand, one of New Zealand's darkest days.

As the day breaks in New Zealand and the search and rescue teams resume their task, our thoughts and prayers, wherever in the world we may be, go out to our fellow Kiwis - to those who have lost their loved ones, to all those waiting to be rescued and to those who are living with the agony of uncertainty...

KIA KAHA AOTEAROA - NEW ZEALAND BE STRONG - ΝΕΑ ΖΗΛΑΝΔΙΑ ΚΡΑΤΑ ΓΕΡΑ

 Latest Update:

55 identified bodies, at least another 20 confirmed deaths. At least 300 people missing, says Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker

USEFUL INFORMATION:

For all those who would like to get futher information on the Christchurch Earthquake

www.civildefence.govt.nz

www.canterburyearthquake.org.nz

If anyone wants to find out about specific persons in Christchurch the following site has been set up by Google:

http://christchurch-2011.person-finder.appspot.com

To ask about people in New Zealand you may be concerned about, you can call:

00 64 7 8502199


On Facebook several groups have been set up also:

 Facebook Page - Christchurch Quake Live


Supporting Christchurch Earthquake 22-02-11


Other Links:

Graphic of the earthquake and aftershocks 

Slideshow of the damage from Naftemboriki Greece

Latest updates from Tourism New Zealand

Quake shakes 30 Million Tons of Ice  off Tasman Glacier

 TV NZ  Live Updates

 Eye Witness Accounts of the Quakes - Stuff NZ 

Helping out - What you can do 

Donations via Red Cross NZ

For those of us outside New Zealand the only help we can really offer is financial assistance. As an association we will endeavour to raise funds for our fellow New Zealanders in need. For those who would like to make a donation directly you can do so on line via 

New Zealand Red Cross Secure on line Credit Card Donations

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