Disaster...

Devastating news today. As I lay in the camper reading I realized the whole vehicle was swaying back and forth. After dismissing the initial thought that the maintenance guys were rocking the van, I stepped out to check if it really was an earthquake. The staff room was a circus of japanese people scrambling to get the satellite back in order. They were in an uproar about an earthquake in Christchurch. Once we got the news back on, it was just footage of what looked like a warzone. People were scrambling out of buildings and rubble, dust was everywhere, it was utter chaos. A 6.3 magnitude quake had shaken Christchurch into submission. Weakened by the September 4, 7.1 magnitude quake, many of the buildings came crashing down. Though this quake was of less magnitude, it was much closer and much shallower than the former. For a while we were very worried about some of the Maruia staff who were in the city during the quake, however we later managed to reach them, or were informed that they were all ok. 

Unfortunately, 65+ people have been confirmed dead, and countless are injured. The cathedral from my previous post is now collapsed, and the city looks dreadful. Nearly nine hours later, people are still trapped in buildings. Keep hope for those people who may be fighting for their lives. 

Below are some more pictures of this beautiful city before this horrific quake.
( I would have taken more of the city itself, but of course, I told myself I'd be back soon, and Christchurch wouldn't be going anywhere... Take this as a reminder to not leave things for a later date!! You never know what's going to happen! )

 Peace Bell and some idiot...

 Cathedral tower is now rubble...

 Not sure of the Art Gallery's condition

 Entrance to the Rose Garden

 Collapsed tower from the previous earthquake

 Big Ass Hippo

Christchurch City Council