HTH -- Haiti Earthquake

February 23, 2011. Death toll from New Zealand earthquake rises to 75 people

SOURCE: Altegrity Risk International

The death toll from the February 22nd magnitude 7 earthquake in South Island's Christchurch rose to 75 on February 23rd with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key declaring a national state of emergency, reports indicated. More than 300 people remained missing as rescue workers, emergency personnel, and soldiers sought to rescue survivors in the midst of sporadic aftershocks; at least 48 people were pulled alive from collapsed buildings. Key warned that the death toll was likely to rise. A number of foreigners were affected by the earthquake, with one of the worst affected school housing a language study center. One Japanese national was rescued only after his leg was amputated. Officials imposed a nighttime curfew in the worst-affected parts of the city, closed schools, and closed off buildings assessed for risk. Some 80% of Christchurch residents remained without water.

In related news, the Christchurch earthquake of February 22nd caused some 30 tons of ice to fall off the Tasman Glacier in the South Island's Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, including a 250m (275 yards) chunk of ice, reports indicated on February 23rd.