Asia-Pacific

6.3 magnitued earthquake hits S New Zealand

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-02-22 08:49

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WELLINGTON - A 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit New Zealand South Island city of Christchurch on Tuesday, causing widespread destruction in the city center.

Phone lines are down. A Christchurch resident named Frank Feng told Xinhua the quake was so strong that a TV set in his house has fallen to the floor.

A church in Durham St had collapsed.

GNS Science said the quake was centred southeast of the city.