THE SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS of Tuesday’s devastating earthquake in Christchurch continues today, where rescue teams are reported to be working through the rubble “brick by brick” for any signs of life.
At least 113 people have died in the 6.3 magnitude earthquake and another 200 are believed to be missing.
Concerns are growing about the welfare of an Irishman who is understood to have been trapped in the building he works at.
The Department of Foreign Affairs would not confirm the Kerryman’s name this morning, but the PA has named him as JJ O’Connor, 40, of Abbeydorney.
He is understood to be married with children and works as an accountant at the Pyne Gould Guinness Building in Christchurch, which suffered extensive damage in Tuesday’s earthquake.
Ireland’s consul in New Zealand, Rodney Walsh, told TheJournal.ie this morning that another two Irish citizens remain unaccounted for, but hopes to locate them over the weekend.
Walsh said that people were searching through the ruined buildings and rubble in Christchurch city centre “brick by brick and boulder by boulder” and hoping for the miracle discovery of survivors.
Police said earlier today that rain could hamper rescue efforts by further destabilising the rubble. Superintendent Dave Cliff said search and rescue teams were operating in a “highly dangerous and volatile” situation and appealed to people to remain off the road to allow the provision of essential services pass through.
According to Walsh, the area is still experiencing aftershocks and today had one which registered up to 4.1 magnitude.
The New Zealand Herald reports today that preparations are underway to begin removing bodies from beneath the destroyed cathedral building where 22 people may have been killed.
Dean Peter Beck said it was fortunate that parts of the building, including the visitors’ centre, had not been destroyed because there were a lot of visitors and staff in those areas when the earthquake struck.
Earthquake response information and advice for the public is being constantly updated by the government online here.
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