Our country is shaken

[Shakin-Slim]

It would seem Mother Earth is punishing us. Perhaps deservedly so. Around 6 hours ago (midday 12:51, Tuesday 22nd), an earthquake hit Christchurch, a beautiful city in my country's South Island. The magnitude was 6.1 and was only 5km's deep. This comes mere months after the city was hit by a quake that shook it very hard, being 33km's deep, so you can imagine the devastation of this one, being significantly shallower. It is a hard time for our whole nation, also being mere months after the Pike River Mine disaster.

The death toll has suddenly risen from 17 to 65, and only the tip of the iceberg has been cleared.

Times like these, my country shows the attitude we are proud of, getting stuck in and helping our neighbours. Only now, our help doesn't seem to come close to what is needed.

Please, lend your thoughts and prayers if you are that way inclined, to the people of the Canterbury region.

As per usual, we will pick ourselves up and the hardy Southerners will stick to true form and show their colours, but the last earthquake was bricks and mortar. This is a human tragedy.

Slim

 

[UncleFluffy]

Please, lend your thoughts and prayers if you are that way inclined, to the people of the Canterbury region.

As per usual, we will pick ourselves up and the hardy Southerners will stick to true form and show their colours, but the last earthquake was bricks and mortar. This is a human tragedy.

Slim

My thoughts go out to you and yours.

Thankyou for spreading the news - I'm on the other side of the world, but will be checking in with my NZ friends hereabouts to make sure their families and friends back home are safe.

 

[()smoke()]

It would seem Mother Earth is punishing us. Perhaps deservedly so. Around 6 hours ago (midday 12:51, Tuesday 22nd), an earthquake hit Christchurch, a beautiful city in my country's South Island. The magnitude was 6.1 and was only 5km's deep. This comes mere months after the city was hit by a quake that shook it very hard, being 33km's deep, so you can imagine the devastation of this one, being significantly shallower. It is a hard time for our whole nation, also being mere months after the Pike River Mine disaster.

The death toll has suddenly risen from 17 to 65, and only the tip of the iceberg has been cleared.

Times like these, my country shows the attitude we are proud of, getting stuck in and helping our neighbours. Only now, our help doesn't seem to come close to what is needed.

Please, lend your thoughts and prayers if you are that way inclined, to the people of the Canterbury region.

As per usual, we will pick ourselves up and the hardy Southerners will stick to true form and show their colours, but the last earthquake was bricks and mortar. This is a human tragedy.

Slim

will keep you guys in thoughts and prayers

 

[MIJ-VI]

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[rosanne]

I'm been through some quakes - including one very bad one - so I know something of what you are going through. You will make it through this. People rise to the occasion to help each other out.

Sending good thoughts and prayers your way.

 

[GregC]

I'm really sad to hear this. I've always wanted to visit NZ, and your country does have a "hardy" reputation. Sending thoughts and prayers your way.

 

[Relic]

I've been reading about this in shock..so sorry to hear about it You guys are in my thoughts.
Stay safe.

 

[Bassman316]

My thoughts and prayers go out to the people in your country.... hopefully the people will come together as they usually do when faced with a disaster such as this and help each other out and recover.

 

[Skitch it!]

I'm sorry to hear of this situation, I wish you and yours strength and unity, all the best, take care.

 

[MakiSupaStar]

Yeah the first one was lucky timing it seems like. This one seemed to hit at the worst time. Stay safe. Positive vibes coming from California.

 

[Richland123]

I'm so sorry to hear of the earthquake. My thoughts are with you and your country. Take care and be safe. I know you will all pull together in your time of disaster.

 

[Deluge Of Sound]

...at least it wasn't stirred. You'd have an irate James Bond to deal with as well.

Humor aside, this is truly awful. I hope you guys have seen the worst of it already, and that the rebuilding effort is both swift and effective.

 

[Shakin-Slim]

The death toll has risen to 75 and will only climb with 300 missing. For a small nation this is a great loss so far. Few disasters stand out in our countries history, Erebus, Wahine, Napier, Tangiwai, Pike River Mine. Christchurch will surely be one of them.

We have not many more than 4 million people here, so everyone knows someone who is involved in the garden city.

I would like to thank you all for your kind thoughts, words and prayers. The support from around the world has been incredible. Our Aussie brothers have sent highly skilled urban search and rescue teams across the ditch and more teams are on the way from other countries such as Singapore. The monetary support has been huge from Red Cross around the world by way of donations, Air New Zealand is offering $50 flights to those wishing to go to and from the garden city and Canterbury University has started a large student army for search and rescue.

To any Cantabrians, Kiwi's or anyone who has loved ones involved, kia kaha! Stand strong. A pocket of 15 people has been found in the CTV building, and teams are working at getting them out.

 

[basstotheface]

Yup, I'll echo the sentiments everyone else said. Stay safe, NZ probably can't afford to have a bassist injured!

 

[fingerbun]

Hang in there mate. It is a terrible tragedy but the Kiwi response is showing the world what you are made of. A small nation but a great one.

 

[bassrique]

I hope the ~300 missing are safe, but with earthquakes, that usually isn't the case. I was in a strong tremor in Latin America some years back. It was not cool. I can't imagine what a full-on quake is like. My prayers and condolences.

 

[tooley]

i think the whole of new zealand is abit depressed today and we all have our fingers crossed that there will be many found alive. but we can only hope. thankfully my family down in christchurch are all safe with the exception of my auntys car which was crushed by a wall. but thats not worth worrying about

 

[Sam577]

Today they declared a National State of Emergency (instead of just a Regional one) for the first time in our countries history. It's very sad..

But all the help from around the country and world is just amazing.

 

[Relic]

i think the whole of new zealand is abit depressed today and we all have our fingers crossed that there will be many found alive. but we can only hope. thankfully my family down in christchurch are all safe with the exception of my auntys car which was crushed by a wall. but thats not worth worrying about

Keeping our fingers crossed for you all as well on this side of the globe.

 

[bwv1013]

thoughts and prayers friend.