Aftershocks rattle Christchurch post-quake

Aftershocks rattle Christchurch post-quake

Aftershocks have rattled Christchurch in the wake of a 5.7-magnitude quake that shook the city almost five years on from the devastating tremor that killed 185 people and caused widespread destruction.

A host of small shakes kept residents on edge through the night after Sunday’s shallow quake.

A cliff collapsed into the sea near Taylors Mistake, with five young lifesavers narrowly avoiding injury, stock fell from shelves and shoppers were forced to flee malls when the quake hit soon after 1pm, local time.

No serious injuries were reported and there were only minor issues with the city’s infrastructure.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel said the city was in a much better state than it was when the deadly 6.3-quake hit on February 22 in 2011 but it did nothing for the nerves.

“It really is a real set-back psychologically for the city,” she said.

Prime Minister John Key said the buildings in the city are much stronger than they were five years ago and by all accounts had come through the quake well.

Three schools – Christchurch Girls’ High School, Aranui High School and St Thomas of Canterbury – will be closed on Monday and the Ministry of Education said it was up to individual schools to decide if they opened.

GeoNet spokeswoman Anna Kaiser told AAP residents can expect a number of aftershocks in the coming days and scientists say there is a 50 per cent chance of another quake above 5.

“It does jolt you a bit but you just have to carry on,” Ocean Cafe & Bar co-owner Julie-Anne Pritchard said after diners at her cafe watched a cliff fall into the sea.

Cliffs collapsed at Whitewash Heads near Taylors Mistake and at Godley Head and there were other rockfalls in the city.

A small amount of liquefaction was reported in eastern parts of the city.

Some road bridges in the region have had a weight limit imposed on them pending engineering checks.

Image credit: Christchurchnz.com

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]