Search For 300 Trapped In NZ Quake Continues - Sky News

6:57am UK, Wednesday February 23, 2011

Ian Woods, in Christchurch, and Richard Williams

Rescuers are scrambling to find around 300 survivors trapped after an earthquake in one of New Zealand's largest cities that has killed at least 75 people.

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Those searching for the large numbers still missing across Christchurch have been using their bare hands, dogs, and heavy machines to aid the rescue effort.

Police say emergency teams are being removed from the six-storey collapsed Canterbury TV building as they are "100% certain" those trapped inside are dead.

And officials warned the death toll following the 6.3 magnitude-quake is almost certain to rise.

Describing the disaster as possibly the country's "darkest day", prime minister John Key declared a national state of emergency.

He promised both the city and the lives of those affected would be rebuilt, adding: "We are a resilient nation, we will not bow down to this challenge."

Christchurch mayor Bob Parker confirmed 120 people were rescued from wrecked buildings as teams worked through the night, while more bodies were also recovered.

Hundreds of soldiers, police and other rescue workers are being joined by specialist teams from across the world.

A British aid team was due to leave Gatwick to fly to New Zealand's South Island and join the rescue mission, which has been put at risk by a series of smaller aftershocks.

The Foreign Office is "urgently" seeking information about any UK casualties, but it is not yet known if any Britons are among the dead.

A spokesman said: "We are in close touch with the local authorities and are urgently seeking information.

"The High Commission in Wellington have mobilised a consular response and stand ready to provide any consular assistance that is required."

Google has set up a website to help distribute information about missing victims.

This has shaken me to the core. I'm really concerned about friends that I haven't been able to get in contact with in the city.

Jo Kane, who lives on the outskirts of Christchurch

Parts of the city of 350,000 people lay in ruins and all corners of it were suffering cuts to water supplies, power and phones. Residents are being urged to stay inside their homes.

The immediate focus is on around a dozen buildings downtown where rescuers believe finding survivors is still a possibility.

The quake struck just before 1pm local time on Tuesday, when the city was thronging with workers, tourists, and shoppers.

Emergency workers say the timing and proximity of the quake to the city's centre meant it had caused more damage than the 7.1-magnitude tremor in Christchurch last September.

Some survivors of the quake emerged without a scratch, while others had to have a limb amputated before they could be freed.

Police superintendent Russell Gibson said: "There are bodies littering the streets, they are trapped in cars, crushed under rubble and where they are clearly deceased our focus ... has turned to the living."

:: British nationals concerned about relatives or friends affected by the quake can contact 020 7008 8765.