24/02/2011

Two Britons Killed In Christchurch Quake

The Foreign Office has confirmed that two Britons died in the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand's second city.

The UK nationals are among 98 other victims whose bodies were recovered. They were taken to a temporary mortuary in the city.

Around 226 people are still missing.

The 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck at lunchtime on Tuesday, when the South Island city was at its busiest. It is believed to have killed around 65 people almost immediately.

A British backpacker said the area "looked like a bomb had hit it".

Last September the city was hit by a 7.1-magnitude quake, which left two people seriously injured.

The quake caused an estimated $3bn in damage.

(BMcN/GK)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

25 February 2011
Two Britons Dead In Christchurch Quake
The Foreign Office has confirmed that two Britons died in the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand's second city. One UK national has been named as Gregory Tobin, 25, a Chef from Tadcaster in North Yorkshire. He had been on a round-the-world trip and had been working at a garage in Christchurch.
22 February 2011
Britons Speak Of New Zealand Earthquake
UK citizens caught in the devastation of the Christchurch earthquake have spoken out about the chaos that took place in New Zealand's second city. The 6.3-magnitude earthquake, which struck at lunchtime, is believed to have killed around 65 people. A British backpacker said the area "looked like a bomb had hit it".
11 October 2005
Britain doubles aid relief for earthquake survivors
Britain has doubled the amount of aid for areas affected by the weekend’s earthquake in South Asia to £2 million, it has been announced. Another government-sponsored aid flight, carrying 800 tents and 18,900 blankets, is due to leave the UK this afternoon, departing from Nottingham East Midlands Airport for the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.
14 August 2003
Earthquake in western Greece injures 20
A score of people on the western coast of Greece have been injured today following an undersea earthquake which damaged buildings. Greek officials on the Ionian island of Lefkada said that it was believed at least 20 people had been injured during the eartquake which measured 6.4 on the Richter scale.
10 February 2011
Tragedy As Belfast Flight Crashes In Cork
A Manx-2 jet from George Best Belfast City Airport has crashed on landing in Cork in a tragedy that was reported just before 10am on Thursday. There were ten passengers and two crew members on board the plane which was reported to have caught fire after the crash.