Shit.

[haldoor]

There's been another massive earthquake in Christchurch today - it happened about an hour ago and it sounds worse than the one last September. It's not as big but is closer to the surface and has probably caused more damage because people were out and about this time (last time it was in the middle of the night, this time it's the middle of the day). There could be deaths. Please send any spare thoughts and wishes to the people in Christchurch.

I'm just grateful I live in Auckland and so few of our friends and relatives are down that way. Hopefully, the few people we do know there are all right.

Comments

[agdhani.livejournal.com]

did they give the numbers for how big it was?

hopefully at least some of the architecture is built with earthquakes in mind to lessen the damage. Having lived in Los Angeles through several, especially a really big one in 93, I know what they can do!

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

It's 6.3, but the one last September was 7.1 and not nearly as severe due to the depth and time of day.

Unfortunately, because a lot of the buildings have only just survived a massive quake, so a lot of them are simply collapsing this time around, including the Christchurch Cathedral, which is of significant architectural significance (NZ has no buildings older than the 1840s, but the beauty of so many Chch ones is something it's very hard to see destroyed). Also, Christchurch has not been so prone to quakes before so this has not been as prepared for as in other parts of the country.

Worse though is the loss of life. So far 65 fatalities are confirmed and that will probably rise. We can only hope it isn't too high.

[agdhani.livejournal.com]

I've been reading bits of it online as I could today. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone!

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Thanks for that - it's appreciated!

[elliotsmelliot.livejournal.com]

That's terrible. I hope the damage is minimal. This seems to be the era of earthquakes.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately it's (6.3) much worse than the bigger (7.1) quake they had just five months ago (as it was shallow and nearer the city) and this time there are a lot of deaths (last time no one died). We can only hope things will be under control soon - many houses are destroyed or so badly damaged people can't go back to them. I'll be donating tomorrow when The NZ Red Cross site is back up and yet it doesn't feel like nearly enough.

[kitty-trio.livejournal.com]

Ah shit, yeah. We (well Lolo) saw lil blurb about the church steeple down. Having lived in earthquake territory, and experienced some doozies I can imagine how horrid this one is.

All my thoughts and wishes to everyone there.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Thanks, love. I'm hoping everyone's good vibes and wishes are helping. *hugs*

[lookingglassf1.livejournal.com]

Yeah, they just can't seem to catch a break. I didn't feel it, as I was at work at the time.

So far 65 confirmed dead, and that will rise. The damage is rather extensive this time around. 200 people still trapped in buildings.

The Cathedral spire has toppled - there may have been people up there.

It's just not fair.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

It isn't fair, is it?

Glad to hear you didn't feel anything where you are.

[alicambs.livejournal.com]

I was down there this Sunday and Monday and was generally impressed at how the city was picking up and getting on with life. Having seen the place just yesterday makes this quake feel all the more dreadful. I really hope that the people affected have the strength to pick up and start yet again!

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Oh! You were so lucky you didn't stay till today.

I know they will have to pull on some incredible inner strength to come back from this a second time. The general consensus up this way is that if we lived there, we'd be wanting to move away by now. They really have been hit hard with things going on so long already and just beginning to get things back in order before today.

[fanabana.livejournal.com]

Just heard about this and came to see if you were alright. Forgot you live in Auckland. I hope your friends there were ok!

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Thanks! We are luckily far enough away not to have felt a thing, other than shock at it happening all over again after only a few months, and this time so much worse. The realtives we know of down there are okay, thanks, but some people have not been so lucky.

[blueskydancers.livejournal.com]

I've seen some pictures and it looks awful. Glad you and yours are out of harm's way.

*hugs*

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Yeah, it's a hell of a lot worse than last time - and of course the earlier earthquakes haven't helped, as so much was already in disrepair and damaged.

*hugs back*

[msb66.livejournal.com]

We woke up to this as headline news on the radio. The death toll was still at 65 then. I hope it doesn't rise too much more.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

I just listened to the news this morning and they've revised the death toll down to 32, which is good news although that's bad enough. Hopefully there won't be too many to add to it.

[tellshannon815.livejournal.com]

Just heard this on our news and thought about you, glad you're okay, thinking of Christchurch.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Thank you! We are lucky enough to be almost at the other end of the country so we didn't feel a thing, but so many people know people there, and with it being so soon after their last big shake, it's been such a shock.

[marius2045.livejournal.com]

I am just watching it on TV. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Christchurch and those affected. ♥
I am just glad you and your family were alright!

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Thank you - I'm sure your wishes will help. I know I appreciate it. *hugs*

[gregoria44.livejournal.com]

Saw this on the news when I opened up internet. Thoughts and well wishes winging their way around the world to these people.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Thank you - they need all the help they can get. *hugs*

[ladywillin.livejournal.com]

I heard this on the radio this morning but didn't catch the exact whereabouts, only that it was NZ.

My heart was in my mouth because you instantly sprung to mind. Obviously I was relieved beyond relief to here it wasn't Auckland but nevertheless very saddened to hear that many lives have been lost. My thoughts and wishes are with everyone there, and sending you a hug *hug*.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Oh, thankfully it wasn't anywhere near us, but it's still scary! So many people have friends and relatives down there and even if they're not hurt, you worry about them.

Thanks for all the thoughts and wishes and most especially for the hug. *hugs back*

[gottalovev.livejournal.com]

I've been reading about it a little and I'm thinking of you and your people so hard honey ♥

be safe and it the best it can be under the circumstances

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Thanks, lovely! I'm doing fine as we are a long way away and didn't feel a thing, but so many people are affected by it! *hugs*

[halfdutch.livejournal.com]

Glad you and your family are okay. It looks so devastating.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

It's terribly disheartening to hear of so many deaths, but then I am also very proud of the way people are helping each other.

Thanks for your concern!