View Single Post
Old 02-23-2011, 01:22 AM   #5
Amassus
 
Amassus's Avatar
Dojo: Aikido Musubi Ryu/ Yoshin Wadokan
Location: Hamilton
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 306
New Zealand
Offline
Re: Devastating earthquake at Christchurch, New Zealand

Just to update from down here.

Yes, this is the second earthquake to hit Christchurch. The first one (Sept 4th, last year) occurred at night and there were no fatalities.

This second quake was in fact a large aftershock (6.3) that occurred only 5km down from the surface. It occurred at around 1pm during the day. Children were at school, people at work or at lunch in the city centre.

Current death toll is 75, with 300 people still not accounted for. NZ has already received aid from military personnel and rescue teams from the USA, Australia, Japan, Singapore and the UK. The international response has been amazing.

Many historical buildings that were weakened in the initial earthquake, totally collapsed. Car-sized boulders have smashed through houses near cliffs and roads have buckled. One of the larger buildings (about 26 floors) is leaning dangerously and when it falls may cause a dominoes effect as it hits neighboring buildings.

There are some great aikido clubs in that city and I am concerned for one instructor that frequents our dojo here in Hamilton. I hope he is ok.

Thank you for your concern. The days ahead look to be dark.

Dean.

"flows like water, reflects like a mirror, and responds like an echo." Chaung-tse
  Reply With Quote