Multiple fatalities had been reported in New Zealand's Christchurch following a major 6.3 magnitude earthquake, including two buses that were crushed by falling debris, police said.
The earthquake caused widespread damage in a city already recovering from a major quake in September last year.
A car drives past a destroyed building in Christchurch
central business district, New Zealand.
"Multiple fatalities have been reported at several locations in the central city, including two buses crushed by falling buildings. A doctor and emergency services are attending," police said in a statement.
"Other reports include multiple building collapses, fires in buildings in the central (city) and persons reported trapped in buildings."
A fire service spokesman said numerous people were trapped in buildings and the quake caused more damage than the 7.1 magnitude quake that hit the city last September.
"The shake has been a lot worse, maybe not in intensity but as far as damage is concerned, and there are numerous people trapped," he told Radio New Zealand.
Television footage showed panicked workers fleeing from offices after the quake, which the US Geological Survey said hit at 12:51pm (2351 GMT Monday) five kilometres from the city at a depth of just four kilometres.
Christchurch airport was closed and police said they were evacuating the city centre.
Building frontages, already weakened by a 7.0 magnitude quake on September 4 collapsed onto the street, with witnesses saying there were people trapped inside.
Cars were buried under rubble and roads buckled as the tremor opened ruptures in the ground.
There were unconfirmed reports of injuries and that the local hospital had been evacuated.
"It was just unbelievable, it was so strong, nothing like I've ever experienced before, just horrible," local shopkeeper Julian Hogday told TV3.
AFP/fa
