International rescuers engaged in a wide-ranging search for earthquake survivors, just days after a strong 6.3 magnitude shock struck New Zealand's second largest city.
Rescuers from around the world have joined local teams of firefighters and residents. Japan has sent dozens of disaster relief team members.
Meanwhile, New Zealand has declared a national state of emergency.
On the scene technology such as thermal imaging cameras are being used to look for survivors.
The quake damaged and collapsed buildings, sending the death toll in the early days of the aftermath into the dozens. Among the damaged structures was a mall, businesses in the central district, wrecked buses, houses of worship, and local hotels. Many crushed cars were also seen.
Residents have asked for help for even basic necessities, such as portable toilets. Distraught friends and family of quake victims have also been part of the scene.
The remains of a mall are seen in central Christchurch February 24, 2011.REUTERSA sign is seen on the window of a business in central Christchurch February 24, 2011.REUTERSWrecked buses are seen in rubble on Colombo Street, the main street of Christchurch February 24, 2011. REUTERSA rescue worker looks through the rubble of the Cathedral of Blessed Sacrament in Christchurch February 24, 2011.REUTERSThe Grand Chancellor Hotel which, according to local authorities, is expected to collapse, sags on one side in Christchurch February 24, 2011. REUTERSA sign referring to a previous earthquake stands in front of the destroyed Oxford Terrace Baptist church in Christchurch February 24, 2011.REUTERSMembers of the Japan Disaster Relief Team for New Zealand Earthquake attend a meeting before their flight to New Zealand at Narita international airport in Narita, east of Tokyo, February 23, 2011. REUTERSRescue workers use thermal imaging cameras to search for signs of life in the PGG building in central Christchurch February 23, 2011.REUTERSRescue workers are seen at the collapsed CTV building that housed the King's Education School, where missing Japanese people are believed to be trapped, following Tuesday's earthquake in the southern New Zealand city of Christchurch February 23, 2011. REUTERSA firefighter works near the collapsed CTV building, that housed a TV broadcaster and an English language school, following Tuesday's earthquake in the southern New Zealand city of Christchurch February 23, 2011.REUTERSA car is crushed by fallen concrete after an earthquake in central Christchurch February 22, 2011. REUTERSRescue crews look for staff in the damaged Pyne Gould Guinness building in central Christchurch February 22, 2011. REUTERSRescue crews look for staff in the damaged Pyne Gould Guinness building in central Christchurch February 22, 2011. REUTERSA distraught friend of one of the people missing in the earthquake and fire-damaged CTV building looks on as firemen and search teams look through the rubble for survivors in central Christchurch February 23, 2011. REUTERSFriends and family of the people missing in the earthquake and fire-damaged CTV building look on as firemen and search teams look through the rubble for survivors in central Christchurch February 23, 2011.REUTERS
