Today has been a very sad day for the people of Christchurch and New Zealand. At lunchtime today – 1.51pm an earthquake hit the central business district of Christchurch and at the moment the death toll is at 65 but there are indications that it will rise. Some people are still believed to be trapped in buildings. It was a 6.3 magnitude quake and very shallow, at only 5 km deep.
Over recent months the people of Christchurch have experienced a number of quakes some lost their homes last September and again on Boxing Day another sizable one hit…but todays was the most devastating. My thoughts are with the people of Christchurch and I pray and hope that your loved ones are found safe and that these aftershocks cease. (There have been at least 20 aftershocks since the large one at lunchtime).
I live in Dunedin which is much further south than Christchurch and only felt a slight tremor, my pc monitor moving a bit. Back in 1987 I was at the epic centre of a 6.5 quake that hit Edgecumber in the Bay of Plenty (North Island) it too was a very shallow quake and caused a lot of damagem however Edgecumbe is a rural area and there was no loss of life.
I have been impressed by the way rescue services have responded and how other countries have rallied round and offered support. Thank you.
Norma-jean Mor...
It is so tragic..ant of this where lives are lost..you are a good and wonderful person, our prayers are with you all Normaje.
Anni Morris:
Very tragic. The previous quakes in Christchurch although damaging…were without loss of life. Unfortunately today’s wasn’t.
catherine walker
I’ve been watching it on the news all day ..so terrible ..absolutely devestating..I hope they can get all the trapped people out quickly
much love and glad you’re safe!
xxxoooo
Anni Morris:
Yes cathy the emergency services are working efficiently and as quickly as possible. The sooner they can search the buildings, the better the chances of saving lives.xxx
╰⊰✿ Bonita✿⊱╮ ...
It touches the hearts of all who see’s this devastation truely is sad to see this,I pray that the people who are trapped will be rescued and i pray for all affected by this for God to be with there private and individual needs its heart breakingly painfull to see.Blessings to those that are rescuing them and to all who are helping and coming to there aid with help reaching out in love and compassion.I pray for all involved in this devestating time, May God be with them Heartfelt hugs to you Anni Thank you for this posting .
Anni Morris:
Thank you for your prays and words for the people of Christchurch.
margaretfraser
I just saw it on the news Anni how devastating for the poor people , my hearts go out to them it is tragic. glad you are safe. pray for the people who are trapped, god help them.
Anni Morris:
It is difficult to know where to run when there is an earth quake, especially in a busy business area. Being a weekday and a lunchtime there were heaps of people around in streets and offices. Last September when there was a strong earthquake it was at night, people were in bed and no lives lost. Thank you for your prays.
Marilyn Harris
Same here Anni – Just saw the horrible news! My thoughts go out to the people of Christchurch. Take care! x :o)
Anni Morris:
You get no warning with an earthquake and the constant after shocks make it very difficult. xox
hootonles
We saw it on our breakfast news this morning, and thought how terrible it must be for those affected. Our prayers go out to them. Take care Anni, Les
Anni Morris:
Let’s hope that more survivors are found Les.
stevealder
Hi Anni. Thanks for your good words re this tragic event…..our hearts go out to all in the ChCh region and NZ. Each time I hear about earthquakes in NZ my mind recalls my long-past Mum’s recollections of her experience of the 1931 quake in Napier/Hastings when 256 souls perished in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that levelled all of the buildings in Napier and Hastings. At age 21 she worked in an underground jewllery shop in Hastings and was very, very lucky to survive…she became totally deaf not long after due to the trauma.
Warm Regards,
Steve
Anni Morris:
Thanks Steve.I remember seeing old photos of the Napier earthquake in books. Sounds like your mum was a lucky survivor. Christchurch is so built up, especially around the business district..that there were lots of people everywhere. Some buses were crushed from falling masonry. So very sad.
Anita Inverarity
I havent seen the news today- This is awful, it seems like some great tragedy too often these days. Sending my thoughts & prayers to the people of Christchurch and my warmest wishes to you- it must be such a shock when things like this happen so close to home xx
Anni Morris:
Thanks for your words Anita. Yes it seems there has been a few terrible disasters in New Zealand in recent months…there was the mining disaster on the West Coast end of last year. Makes one realise how fragile life is and how important people/loved ones are. xxx
jballgame
Anni, I’ve heard the news on our local radio station in Iowa. I’ve never been in an earthquake before(not many in the midwest of the USA), but know of many who have, and say its a terrifying experience. The thoughts and prayers of myself, all of us in Iowa, the midwest are with you and the people of New Zealand. Great to hear of other countries coming to the aid of the residents of New Zealand. I mean, the country probably isn’t the easiest to get to(forgive me, my geography a bit limited). Take care of yourself, Anni xoxox
Anni Morris:
Thanks for your kind words. I believe a team is coming over from the States to assist in the rescue effort. It is a great comfort to know people can pull together from all over the world in times like this.xox
izzybeth
How terrifying it is to be in an earthquake and I am so glad you were not directly affected by this one. Tremors are wicked though… they remind you that you live near a fault line… 65 deaths is too many… Although I no longer live there, my hometown is in Tacoma, Washington, near Seattle Washington: we had a frightening one a few years ago when my children were in grade school…The drive to their school was the longest drive ever. Thank God they were fine. is I am so sorry for the trauma. the aftershocks are frightening. Love to you and Peace in your spirit Dear Anni.
Anni Morris:
Yes Beth, yesterday many parents were worried about their children at school. It was such a big relief to find that they were safe. Many of us do live on fault lines in New Zealand, the earthquake yesterday was on a new fault line, so that isn’t good news either. People in Christchurch now have two fault lines to worry about. Thanks for your kind words ~ Anni xxx
jballgame
Anni, sweetheart, you are more than welcome, let me know if there is ANYTHING I can do for you!!
Anni Morris:
Thanks heaps but I’m fine here, quite a distance from the aftershocks.
jballgame
Again, you are more than welcome, and great to hear that you’re alright. Just wondering, Anni, is the profile pic, the very pretty lady with blond hair, you by chance?
F.A. Moore
Anni, Beth Plastino pointed me to your journal. Thank goodness you’re okay.
What devastating events these are for New Zealand.
I have just started a journal for some to add names of RedBubblers from New Zealand they know are safe.
Thanks to Beth’s pointer, I’ll add you to the list, if that’s okay.
Anni, I’m glad to see quick rescue efforts too.
Anni Morris:
Thanks Beth for your words and setting up a journal, smart thinking. We are all completely fine down here. Christchurch is about 5 hours north from here. There has already been 20 aftershocks this morning and it isn’t even midday. 750 specialist rescue workers have arrived from different parts of the world: Taiwan, the States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Britain etc… They are most welcome.
Desirée Glanvi...
Devastating news……..sending LOVE!
Anni Morris:
Thanks for your kind words, our hearts are with the people of Christchurch.
Barbara Brown
As a Californian I know how devastating these earthquakes can be. My thoughts are with everyone and hope they are safe.
Anni Morris:
Thanks Barbara, Yes living on or near fault lines means always living with a time bomb doesn’t it?
linmarie
Prayers and candles are lit at my home for them all, so happy to hear you are fine and save, peace and love linmarie
Anni Morris:
Thank you linmarie for doing that, we are all sending our love to them.
Heidi Mooney-Hill
We have been watching everything on CNN here in Germany
My deepest feelings are with all in Christchurch, and I am hoping that many more will be rescued from being trapped. in my prayers I think of Chritchurch every day
Glad to hear you are ok xxHeidi
Anni Morris:
Thanks Heidi, the news coverage has been extensive over here. Yes let’s hope today sees lots more rescued. xox
nmbrplus
I know it is a tragic and frightening time for all in the area…I am a native Californian and have lived through many quakes. the largest being 7.2….I have added those affected to my thoughts and prayers, as well as the rescue teams…..glad to hear you are safe….jd
Anni Morris:
Thanks Joyce, the rescue teams are doing an amazing job and are working as quickly as possible.
ellismorleyphto
I felt such shock when I saw that, the recent weather related incidents in Australia and now the earthquake in NZ is just incredibly sad.
I hope there are no more fatalities and that people can start to rebuild their lives somewhat.
Joanne.
Anni Morris:
We don’t get any warning with earthquakes do we? Yes weather patterns seem to be becoming more extreme over recent years. Thanks for your words.
jballgame
Good morning/afternoon, Anni, how are things progressing as far as the rescue there is concerned? We in Iowa continue to pray for you and the people of New Zealand, and hope all is going well for you, Anni.
Anni Morris
TO ALL OF YOU -
Thanks for your concern. Yes my family are all safe. We are in Dunedin which is quite some distance south away from C’ch and we only had a tiny sway from the quake. It is heart breaking to see such a loss of life, even tiny babies, and people still missing. In the suburbs there is a lot of damage to people’s homes and lots of them were just getting straight after the September quake last year. It reminds me of just how fragile life is.
Ginger Barritt
So relieved that you’re ok, Anni…
Anni Morris:
Thanks Ginger, yes I am counting my blessings. x
Donnahuntriss
Really glad to hear you are okay Anni.XXX
Anni Morris:
Thanks Donna, It has been such a sad week for the country as a whole. Hugs ~ Anni xxx
Anni Morris:
Work remains focused on residents being adequately housed in safe and warm accommodation, with reliable access to water, functional sewerage disposal, electricity and communications. The state of national emergency following the Christchurch earthquake has been extended for seven more days. Three more earthquake victims were named today, bringing the total number to 169.
With such a loss of life and devastation in Japan only a short while after it certainly has made me feel…we live in a very uncertain world. It has been a very sad time for many. People will try to rebuild their lives the best way they can. Thanks for your thoughts and concern Johnny, much appreciated.