Christchurch 6.3 Mag Quake

Christchurch Quake Rescuers Search Wrecked Offices for Survivors

Feb. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Rescue workers in the New Zealand city of Christchurch will comb through collapsed ruins of office buildings today as they search for trapped survivors of New Zealand’s deadliest earthquake in eight decades.

About 250 search-and-rescue personnel are preparing to dig through wreckage left by yesterday’s magnitude 6.3 quake that killed at least 65 people, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English told reporters yesterday. More than 100 people may be trapped in collapsed structures, Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said.

“After the initial shock, our focus is now firmly going to be on those people who may be remaining trapped in collapsed buildings,” English said.