Christchurch 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake

'Oh my God. There is a row of shops completely demolished right in front of me,' 

'I was awake to go to work and then just heard this massive noise and 'boom,' it was like the house got hit. It just started shaking. I've never felt anything like it

'Quake hit city 'like an iceberg'

'i'm lucky to be alive'

The quake, which hit 19 miles west of the southern city of Christchurch, shook a wide area with radio reports saying items were tossed from store shelves and roof tiles cracked by the strong temblor.

A state of emergency has been declared in Christchurch.The third largest city in NZ.

The earthquake was 21 miles below the Earth's surface, the geological agency GNS Science said.

It hit at 4:35am., shaking thousands of residents awake, New Zealand's National Radio reported.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said "no destructive widespread tsunami threat existed, based on historical earthquake and tsunami data".

The Quake was felt as long as rolling motion lasting up to 40 seconds.Christchurch police reported some road damage and power outages in parts of the city of 400,000 people, with a series of sharp aftershocks rocking the area.

New Zealand sits above an area of the Earth's crust where two tectonic plates collide. The country records more than 14,000 earthquakes a year - but only about 150 are felt by residents. Fewer than 10 a year do any damage.

Meanwhile Malaysia High Comission in Wellington is in contact with the Malaysian Student Associations in Christchurch and is continuing to lialise with NZ Authorities. All Malaysian citizens are reported to be safe.

Wisma Putra in a statement said it has activated contact lines as focl points for the public to seek information pertaining to the latest situation in Christchurch.

The contact numbers for office hours are 03-888874047 while after office hours, weekends and public holiday the number to call are 03-88874750 or email to dutyofficer@kln.gov.my

source of information :- NZ Herald, Mail Online, The Star, LaredoSun