2010-12-07 09:30

WELLINGTON - Emergency medical supplies in Wellington could run out within a day of an earthquake of equivalent devastation to that of New Zealand South Island city of Christchurch, a study reveals.

The report, released on Tuesday, spells out the likely consequences for Wellington of a deadly shake similar to the 7.1 magnitude tremor in Christchurch on September 4.

Up to 1,500 people would die and 13,000 would suffer injuries, the report said. Previous forecasting estimated 300 deaths in Wellington.

Critical infrastructure such as transport, power and water would be in tatters as underground pipes, power lines and roads criss-crossing fault lines were ruined.

Up to 1,500 central city buildings would burn as ruptured gas mains caused fires. About 18,000 homes would be destroyed and 50, 000 damaged - leaving thousands homeless and needing emergency shelter, the Greater Wellington regional council report predicts.

Wellington is likely to be hit by a 7.5 magnitude quake - releasing four times the energy of the Christchurch quake in September. It would cause much greater damage and significantly more casualties because of Wellington's topography, urban density and the CBD's proximity to fault lines.

Although thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed in the Christchurch quake, no-one died and just one person was seriously hurt.

Wellington region mayors will be briefed on the report's contents on Tuesday. It was compiled in the aftermath of Christchurch to help sharpen regional planning for an inevitable local disaster.

The Wellington city council confirmed that it would review its earthquake-strengthening policy early in the new year. There are thought to be about 700 "suspect" multilevel buildings in the CBD that require strengthening to bring them up to adequate building code standards.