Christchurch as a population around 400,000, a reasonably sized first-world city. There was another earthquake in September last year, but it caused far less damage.

New Zealand Herald

Quote:
Prime Minister John Key has told reporters that the death toll from today's magnitude 6.3 earthquake stands at 65, and Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said it could quite possibly double.


A big difference compared to other events such as floods or hurricanes is, of course, that there is no warning prior an earthquake. Not even time to get yourself out of Dodge, let alone any gear.

Hopefully things aren't any worse than has already been reported. All the best to the Kiwis.