After the 6.3 magnitude earthquake affected New Zealand’s city of Christchurch as well as other areas in the region of Canterbury, the collapse of more than 400 buildings and the resulting rubble have had search teams frantically look for any survivors trapped in the rubble for the past several days. As hours go by, the hopes for rescuing those still missing go by as well. Officials estimate that more than 200 individuals are currently missing. Search teams and volunteers from other countries including Australia, Phillipines, Taiwan, Japan, the United States and Singapore are currently combing the ruins to rescue survivors.

Shelters, food & water centers along with medical tents have been propped up for those displaced by by the earthquake that has been said to be “one of the worst” in New Zealand’s history. Although some roads were heavily damaged by the earthquake, the Christchurch International Airport remains intact and has thankfully provided for fast relief responses from other locations including other countries while providing shelter, food and water for those displaced.

As the earthquake occured, most of western Christchurch experienced power outages. Among the buildings heavily damaged or done in by the earthquake is the Canterbury Television (CTV) building that caught fire and possibly burned at least 100 individuals to death trapped in the building.

Around 2,000 were reported to have minor injuries and a few hundred to have suffered major injuries. Bodies that have been found are undergoing identification mainly through DNA and dental records. There have been angry demands as to how certain buildings like the CTV building fell victim to the earthquake.

The New Zealand government has solemnly said that perhaps “1/3″ of the city of Christchurch may need to be demolished and reconstructed due to the heavy damage wrought by this earthquake that was a part of the series of aftershocks left behind by 2010′s Canterbury earthquake.

Other nations including Australia have pledged large sums of financial aid towards New Zealand and international aid organizations that are currently assisting New Zealand in the wake of the earthquake.

Due to the large displacement of the Christchurch population, the New Zealand government has announced that the 2011 census scheduled to take place in March will be put on hold.

(Cover Photo: TVNewZealand)