Breaking news from New Zealand: The New York Times is reporting that a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch, New Zealand, on Tuesday, resulting in substantial damage throughout the city and reports of fatalities.
The quake hit the country’s south island just before 1 p.m. local time. The tremblor was just the latest in a series of large earthquakes to strike in recent months. In September, a magnitude 7.1 quake rocked the same area, but caused no casualties.
The Associated Press reported that damage was extensive and that people were trapped inside crumbled buildings. The country’s Prime Minister, John Key, told parliament that there might be casualties.
Though the magnitude of this quake was less than what hit the city in the fall, its depth and location could make it more damaging.
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