Thousands of people have fled the New Zealand city of Christchurch after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake and aftershocks have left many areas uninhabitable due to lack of power, broken water and sewage pipes, and burst gas mains.
Other residents were forced to evacuate when cracks were discovered in cliffs above several city suburbs.
Rescue efforts may face another setback if gale force winds, predicted for Monday afternoon local time, are severe. A windstorm would temporarily halt rescue efforts and could further collapse weakened buildings, AFP reported.
The official death toll has now reached 148 with the total number expected to be more than 200.
Hopes of finding any more survivors have faded with the last rescue occurring on Wednesday, Feb. 23.
Dave Cliff the Superintendent of the Canterbury District the region where Christchurch is located, said it was difficult to identify many earthquake victims who had suffered “horrendous injuries.” He said he was aware that families are concerned about the length of time it is taking to identity their loved ones, and assured them that experts are working very hard.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key asked for all of the country to observe two minutes of silence for the victims of the region’s devastating earthquake.
“I am calling on all New Zealanders to stop and remember those who have lost their lives, those who are missing, and the hundreds of people who are mourning family and friends,” he said.
“At 12.51 p.m. this Tuesday, March 1, I am asking that New Zealand stops for two minutes as a sign of unity for the people of Canterbury who are enduring a tragedy beyond what most of us can imagine,” Key said.
Urban Search and Rescue personnel continue to work tirelessly, with 579 people looking for signs of life and retrieving the dead.
Mitchell Brown, head of the New Zealand rescue team, told the NZ Herald that rescue efforts would continue until no stone was left unturned.
Many New Zealanders and people from other countries have shown great solidarity, caring, and encouragement towards those who are suffering.
One resident police officer, Senior Sergeant John Robinson, had his spirits bolstered after working long hours at his home in Parklands near the outskirts of the city, when he saw 150 Student Army Volunteers come around the corner and begin cleaning up his street.
Sergeant Robinson said in a police press release that, “the whole street had been a lake, which was slowly starting to drop and it was a sensational feeling when, all of a sudden, tons of people came in and started shoveling up the mud and water. Within a couple of hours it was cleaned up.”
Many communities have rallied together food and accommodation and staff at the Wellington City Council processing center said they are unable to handle the amount of food, general goods and equipment arriving.
Civil Defense Minister John Carter said that offers of support from monetary donations are the quickest and easiest way to help organizations on the ground get exactly what they need.
The New Zealand Herald reported that the government plans to speak with Oprah Winfrey and David Letterman in hopes publicizing the Christchurch earthquake fund recently setup. Social networking sites and embassies worldwide will also be used to promote the fund.
“We believe this is an earthquake of worldwide proportions and we believe that, around the world, we will receive substantial support for the fund,” Key told the NZ Herald.
Many world leaders have also sent their condolences and support, the Queen of England, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, and the Pope have all offered messages of sympathy, according to New Zealand’s TV3.
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