TRADEGY: Police have released the names of the nine people killed in yesterday's plane crash at Fox Glacier. The accident happened at 1.15pm when the plane, carrying a party of skydivers and tourists, crashed at the end of the runway at Fox Glacier Airport. The pilot was 33-year-old Chaminda Senadhira from Queenstown. The four dive masters were: Adam Bennett (47) from Australia, living in Motueka; Michael Suter (32) from New Plymouth; Christopher McDonald (62) from Mapua; Rodney Miller (55)... more>

MEDIA: News Websites Exaggerate Christchurch Looting It has been reported by the Christchurch police that there was one incidence of looting following yesterday’s earthquake. The looting occurred in the Christchurch CBD early yesterday morning and involved two men attempting to smash a shop window. According to Police, the two men were caught in the act and arrested and that since then there have been no other incidences of looting. Below is a list of examples where the looting has been... more>

EARTHQUAKE: The size of the earthquake that hit Canterbury early today has been revised to magnitude 7.1 with a focal depth of 10km to 12km, GNS Science said. The epicentre remains at about 30km west of Christchurch, or 3km to 5km southeast of Darfield. Seismologists have revised the quake's details after additional earthquake recordings were included in their calculations. Duty seismologist at GNS Science, John Ristau, said aftershocks were likely to continue for days, even weeks. Typically... more>

EARTHQUAKE: The Salvation Army has launched an appeal to help those affected by the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Canterbury on Saturday, 4 September. Within hours of the disaster, The Salvation Army was asked to feed around 1000 people in at least two Christchurch locations, and was ready to mobilise in other areas as requested by Civil Defence. In Christchurch’s suburbs and rural locations, The Salvation Army has also been responding to the emergency situation. There will be a... more>

Christchurch Earthquake - General Update   6am Sunday 5 September 2010 Overnight, staff at the emergency response centre in Christchurch have been consolidating information received throughout the day on Saturday; working on an action plan; and prioritising tasks to be done today. More than 500 buildings in the city are damaged - more than 90 of those in the central city area. While there has been damage to some minor bridges, major bridges have withstood the quake. Some roads have been... more>

Article - Businesswire Earthquake damage in Canterbury put at $2 bln, says PM Key Sept. 4 (BusinessDesk) – Damage from Canterbury’s 7.1 magnitude earthquake has provisionally been put at $2 billion, Prime Minister John Key says. The number came from Treasury and Earthquake Commission estimates. Key said while many people will be covered by insurance there will be some who need assistance. “The Cabinet will have to look through these issues and try to work through a... more>

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  Saturday, 4 September 2010, 2:44 pm Press Release: Telecom New Zealand South Island Earthquake – 2:00pm Current status Telecom advises that its services continue to stand up well in the South Island following the earthquake this morning. Request for customers – unchanged As elements of the mobile network are running on battery back up, Telecom is urging its customers to reserve power on the network and use mobiles for emergency calls only. Use of mobile phones for sending... more>

  Saturday, 4 September 2010, 11:18 am Press Release: Science Media Centre Expert contacts for earthquake coverage Scientists have described this morning's 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Canterbury as the most significant since the 1931 magnitude 7.8 Hawke's Bay earthquake. GNS Science duty seismologist John Ristau saidaftershocks were likely to continue for days, even weeks though the largest aftershocks generally occurred within the first 48 hours of a large earthquake. "A rule of... more>

Earthquake   Saturday, 4 September 2010, 9:09 am Press Release: Civil Defence Emergency Management Earthquake An earthquake of magnitude 7.4 occurred at 04.35 30km west of Christchurch at a depth of 33km. Damage has been reported, with details yet to be confirmed. People in the affected area should: 1. Expect aftershocks. Each time one is felt, drop, cover, and hold on. 2. Check yourself first for injuries and get first aid if necessary before helping injured or trapped persons. 3. Assess... more>