Up to 100,000 homes in Christchurch, almost two-thirds, have been
damaged by the 7.0-magnitude earthquake which hit the New Zealand city
on Saturday, according to the country’s prime minister.  

Christchurch’s mayor Bob Parker extended a state of emergency in the
earthquake-hit city for another two days as it continued to be hit by
strong aftershocks.

John Key, the New Zealand prime minister, said that almost two-thirds of
the 160,000 homes in the Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri areas were
subject to damage, many of which are beyond repair.

Despite the widespread damage – the cost of repairs has been estimated
at NZ$2bn (£930 million) – nobody was killed during the quake and there
were only reports of two serious injuries.

“I was awestruck by the power of the earthquake and the damage it has
caused in the city”, Mr Key said. “It was miraculous that nobody was
killed.”

Mr Key warned that it would be some time before life returns to normal
in the city of 340,000 people. Power has been restored to 90 per cent of
the city and the water supply for 80 per cent. Schools were due to
remain closed for another two days.

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