World

NZ Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 75; Rescuers Struggle to Save Buried Survivors

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP/The Blaze) – Officials in New Zealand say the death toll from the earthquake in Christchurch has risen to 75.

Prime Minister John Key told a news conference on Wednesday that police had confirmed 75 deaths from the quake a day earlier, up from the previous total of 65.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said 300 people were listed as missing but cautioned that the number trapped in collapsed buildings was not known.

Some survivors buried under rubble screamed from inside collapsed buildings.  Others tapped on the rubble to communicate with those on the outside.

More than 30 victims remain trapped in the city’s Pyne Gould building where one trapped woman used her cell phone to call a local television station. Relaying details from underneath the rubble to the station anchors, Anne Voss urged rescuers to hurry.

“I rang my kids to say goodbye,” Voss told the news anchors from underneath her desk where she was trapped.  “It was absolutely horrible. My daughter was crying and I was crying because I honestly thought that was it.”

NZ Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 75; Rescuers Struggle to Save Buried Survivors

The collapsed Pyne Gould Guinness Building, located in central Christchurch (AP)

Voss said she could hear other people still alive in the building and had called out to them and communicated by knocking.  “I have no idea what condition they’re in,” Voss said, referring to her coworkers, “but I can hear them at times yelling for help.”

“I’m not going to give up,” Voss said. “I’m going to stay awake now. They better come and get me.”

According to local news reports, the city’s ambulatory service is struggling to keep up with the demand as so many people were injured:

While rescue workers are use dogs and cranes to dig out survivors, they fear the death toll may quickly rise.

“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,” Superintendent Russell Gibson said. “We are getting texts and tapping sounds from some of these buildings and that’s where our focus is.”

The powerful quake toppled the spire of the city’s historic stone cathedral, flattened tall commercial office buildings and sent piles of concrete and bricks hurtling down onto cars, buses and pedestrians below.

“People were covered in rubble, covered in several tons of concrete,” web designer Nathaniel Boehm said.  “It was horrific.”

The earthquake also knocked out the city’s power and telephone lines, and burst pipes flooded many streets with water.

NZ Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 75; Rescuers Struggle to Save Buried Survivors

Broken pipes flooded streets (AP)

According to the UK’s Daily Mail, the massive quake even shook off huge chunks of ice from the country’s biggest glacier, located some 120 miles outside Christchurch.

NZ Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 75; Rescuers Struggle to Save Buried Survivors

One of the many icebergs that caved into Tasman Lake (AP)

Christchurch native Trevor Loudon (NZ Patriot) said the quake was “not as big as the 7.1 earthquake” which struck near Christchurch last September, but said it was “far shallower and much closer to the city center. Much, much more violent.” NZ Patriot has many more images of the devastation on the ground in Christchurch, available here.

“It is just a scene of utter devastation,” New Zealand John Key Prime Minister said early Wednesday after rushing to the city immediately following the quake.

“We may well be witnessing New Zealand’s darkest day,” he said.

Comments (20)

  • LisaC49
    Posted on February 28, 2011 at 8:16pm

    I know this hits a little late after the earthquake has happened, but I just want any New Zealanders who happen to be on this site (for whatever reason) to know that we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers during this time. ❤

    Report Post »  
  • Angus Scrimm
    Posted on February 24, 2011 at 2:30am

    New Zealanders are good people and our staunch allies. I am praying for their beautiful country and it’s people. We Americans have you in our thoughts and prayers.

    Report Post » Angus Scrimm  
  • jim1flyer
    Posted on February 23, 2011 at 8:31pm

    And where is our kind-hearted leader asking for Americans to send assistance to one of our allies?

    Report Post »  
  • Billsocal
    Posted on February 23, 2011 at 4:04pm

    The earthquake could be the trigger for something that is far more dangerous. It has been reported that they are two extinct volcanoes just south of Christchurch are that they could be getting ready to erupt. Also there has been 4985 earthquakes since the September quake and there have 193 earthquakes in the last seven days. Something much bigger is getting ready to happened and the New Zealand government needs to get the people living in the area around Christchurch out of the area.
    http://www.iceagenow.com

    Report Post »  
  • patazdweller
    Posted on February 23, 2011 at 12:11pm

    Extreme, right
    Patriot, not so much

    Report Post »  
  • lembrandt
    Posted on February 23, 2011 at 11:34am

    No word yet from the Obama administration about the earthquake in New Zealand….hmm – I wonder if there will even be a response…make *no* mistake about it, if this had happened to a “third world” country, especially in Africa, Obama would have already pledged billions of dollars of help.

    Obama’s a monster, always remember that – never forget.

    Report Post »  
  • Jezreel
    Posted on February 23, 2011 at 9:31am

    Here is what a servant of God said about his last visit to Christchurch:

    AWFUL SHAKING in CHRISTCHURCH
    -by Andrew Strom.

    It was with terrible sadness that I learned yesterday of another huge
    earthquake hitting the New Zealand city of Christchurch. It has only
    been 2 months since we left that city and we have many dear
    friends there. The first earthquake last year had no fatalities but
    this one looks to have many dead and injured.

    I want to share a few things about our time in Christchurch that left
    me quite disturbed and concerned when we left. But I want to be
    sensitive because of the terrible sadness associated with this new quake.

    As some of you know, one of the main things that I hoped to do
    in Christchurch after the first quake was to organize a large open
    worship event in the city – to praise and glorify God that nobody
    had been killed even in a huge 7.1 earthquake. I found that no such
    event was being planned, but there were thousands of evangelical
    Christians in Christchurch, and I felt very strongly that it was
    important for us to publicly glorify God for the miracle of surviving
    such a disaster with no-one killed. The place was traumatized and
    it was obvious that a sensitive Worship event would do much good –
    and even many non-Christians would likely attend. But sadly it was
    not to be. And this is the disturbing part.

    I have organized large events before, so the Christian Radio network
    knows me – and quickly agreed to promote the event for free. The
    PA sound people also agreed to supply excellent sound for a very
    low cost. And the Christchurch City Council couldn’t have been
    more helpful. Everything was looking good. But then we ran up
    against the Christian leaders.

    One of the main “networking” Pentecostal leaders in the city told
    me that we could count him OUT of any support for the event. Then
    I spoke personally with the Dean of Christchurch Cathedral who
    told me that we could NOT use the main Square in Christchurch
    for a worship event for the whole Body. (Today this man’s Cathedral
    lies in ruins. It had survived the first quake, but it did not survive
    this new one).

    I called a number of prominent pastors and worship bands around
    Christchurch. I said we had the support of Radio, the Council, the
    sound and everything. No response. Worship bands not interested.
    Pastors not returning calls. (You might think they were busy after
    the quake – but remember no-one died and Christchurch was up
    and running pretty fully after only a couple of weeks). I simply
    couldn’t understand it. The evangelicals of Christchurch had made
    no public acknowledgement of God at all – no public worship for
    this miraculous escape – no public glorifying of Jesus. Even the
    secular News and the politicians were calling it a “miracle”. People
    were traumatized everywhere. Wasn’t it a “no-brainer” that we
    should be doing such a thing? Doesn’t God deserve public praise
    after protecting so many people from harm?

    In fact, it was such a no-brainer that the secular people themselves
    decided to do something. A number of the top bands and musicians
    from New Zealand came down and gave a free concert in the park
    for the traumatized city. It was heavily advertised on Radio – and
    20,000 people showed up. Of course it was a secular event – not
    Christian. The Pentecostals, Charismatics and Evangelicals of
    Christchurch had made virtually no public sound at all.

    I felt strongly that I could not push things any further without some
    basic support from the church. We managed to hold a couple of
    outdoor concerts for the homeless, and got involved with distributing
    “care packages” and things, but I was so disappointed. In fact I was
    more than disappointed – I was alarmed and deeply disturbed. I even
    told some friends that it was “dangerous” to offer no public praise
    after God has just so obviously saved your city. I felt so strongly
    about it – and deeply saddened for the state of the Body of Christ.
    But I could do nothing more.

    On December 17, 2010, my family departed from Christchurch. On
    December 28th we boarded a plane for Australia. I believe it may
    be some time before we ever return.

    My heart truly goes out to the people of Christchurch – and to all
    the world so poorly served by the church of our day. This was truly
    one of the worst “lost opportunities” that I have ever witnessed in
    all my years with the church. And Christchurch was truly one of
    the most beautiful cites I have ever seen. The people are so dear
    to us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, my friends. May
    God bless and protect you all in these dark times.

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on February 23, 2011 at 8:57am

    So, Great Britain should expect the big one? Come on buddy, don‘t pretend to know God’s mind. New Zealand has been an Ally of the U.S. for a long time, show a little sympathy for your friends.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on February 23, 2011 at 8:54am

    Where is Obama pledging 100s of millions in aide? Where are the telethons? Where are the ex presidents lined up to raise money?

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • patazdweller
      Posted on February 23, 2011 at 12:17pm

      Excuse me, but New Zealand is NOT a third world country. They have the British empire to ably assist them, Britain, Canada, and Australia in particular. Although, I’m sure they will not refuse aid from any other sources.

      Report Post »  
  • SilentReader
    Posted on February 23, 2011 at 8:15am

    It just goes to show how devasting these earthquakes can be.

    My prayers are with the people of New Zealand who are experiencing this awful calamity. Yet again.

    God bless.

    Report Post » SilentReader  
  • Expat-in-OZ
    Posted on February 23, 2011 at 5:37am

    Your kidding…right? I am an extreme conservitive American living in Australia, the you tube shown is my local TV news, your ignorant comments are quite embarrasing and shocking. God judges SIN, not socialism. I am worried He will start to cut loose on consevitives because of people like you… Get a clue.

    MODERATOR. Hello! These type people give Glenn Beck a REAL bad name.

    Report Post » Expat-in-OZ  
  • COFemale
    Posted on February 22, 2011 at 11:34pm

    To those who lost their life in this tragic event; May God Rest Your Souls. To those who survive God Speed. I sure hope we send aid, even if we are broke, This is one spenditure I can get behind. The question is will Obama.

    Report Post » COFemale  
  • tuppergun
    Posted on February 22, 2011 at 10:42pm

    I wonder if the US will send help or is NZ another friend that the pres. dumped on?

    Report Post »  
  • Adog
    Posted on February 22, 2011 at 10:42pm

    That is very horrible but it is very suprising that Obama isnt down there with our taxpaying money to rrepair the socialist land

    Report Post »  
  • Adog
    Posted on February 22, 2011 at 10:38pm

    That is just horable I’m surprised Obama is down spending our taxpayers money to support them but let god sort new zealand out.

    Report Post »  
  • doublezero12
    Posted on February 22, 2011 at 9:35pm

    I have a good friend who lives in Nelson; she says they’re fine so far. But it’ll certainly hurt them a lot. Please pray for the people of New Zealand. Lots are pretty liberal, too. Please pray about that too!

    Report Post » doublezero12  
  • Robert-CA
    Posted on February 22, 2011 at 9:23pm

    My prayers to them & hopefully all the trapped victims will be rescued alive .

    Report Post » Robert-CA  
    • RogueAmeritarian
      Posted on February 22, 2011 at 9:49pm

      Good luck to all involved, I hope and pray that all are recovered.

      Report Post » Reduce.Our.Govt.Footprint  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on February 22, 2011 at 11:31pm

      I have been to New Zealand, what a beautiful land. I pray for all those wonderful people, and I would hope the world will show as much support as we do dictatorial leaders, 3rd world hell holes and other money pits. Here is a country that has been an ally and a supporter of the free world.
      God Bless the Kiwi’s.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  

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