Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island, has been closed to the public after a massive earthquake, 7.1 magnitude, crumpled roads and buildings in the Canterbury area.
Central Christchurch has been completely cordoned off to the public such was the damage, New Zealand’s One News reported.
Civil Defence Headquarters has called a state of emergency, activating the national crisis centre, as reports surfaced of collapsed buildings, cracks in bridges and roads, crushed cars and disrupted water and sewage pipes.
While there have been no deaths reported to date, a number of injured have presented at Christchurch Hospital, Radio New Zealand reported.
The quakes epicentre was about 55 km (35 miles) north-west of Christchurch and at a depth of 12k (7.5 miles.)
Cell phone networks have reportedly gone down and electricity has been cut to around 75 percent of the area.
Although Civil Defence is urging people to remain calm and to stay in their homes, people in the towns of New Brighton and Brookland have been warned they may have to evacuate if water and sewage continue to flood the area.
Douglas Brown, who lives close to Christchurch, said he could see the effects of the quake right outside his door.
“You can put your fist into the cracks in the road,” he told The Epoch Times by phone.
Mr Brown also said there was silt like water bubbling up through the ground.
