Tue, 22 Feb 2011 1:40p.m.
By 3news.co.nz staff
Christchurch has been rocked by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake, sending the region into pandemonium again, not six months after the September 4 quake.
The quake struck at 12.51pm and was at a depth of 5km, 10km southeast of Christchurch.
There have been reports of significant damage, most notably the Christchurch Cathedral.
2.46pm – As previously stated, the city has run out of ambulances and police cars are being used to ferry injured persons.
2.45pm – Multiple aftershocks are continuing to hit the city.
2.42pm – See raw video footage of when the quake hit here
2.41pm – Civil Defence says the National Crisis Management Centre has been activated and urban search and rescue teams have been deployed. An Australian team has been put on call.
2.40pm – There are reports the city has run out ambulances; further reports of fatalities include witnesses seeing bodies pulled from rubble on Hereford St.
It sounds as though rescue units and police are stretched to their limits. Prayers for the people of Christchurch.