By Dylan Moran
Christchurch has been rocked by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake, sending the region into pandemonium again, not six months after the September 4 quake.
The quake struck at 12.51pm yesterday and was at a depth of 5km, 10km southeast of Christchurch.
These overnight updates have now been replaced with the daytime updates which you can view here.
5:42am: The Police have issued a press release saying that 22 people have been rescued in Christchurch since 1pm yesterday, eight from the devastated CTV building.
5:24am: ABC's Lateline also spoke to Lyttelton resident John Sellwood last night, and he offers the best insight into the situation in the port to date. Read a transcript of the interview here.
5:12am: The only kind of information which can be found on Lyttelton is on the website of Inchcape Shipping Services.
A press release from the company says:
"ISS has 2 vessels in port one of which is the German passenger ship Europa which had 57 crew and 267 passengers ashore in the central city when the earthquake struck. We have in last hour been able to account for all and currently endeavouring to get them back to the ship. Tunnel and port roads closed. The other vessel is a Korean research vessel, which has not incurred damage. No Tsunamis, just series of tidal surges.
"No gas fires in the immediate vicinity of Lyttelton port area, but numerous buildings on fire in the city of Christchurch."
5:01am: Another aftershock has rocked the city, a 4.0 magnitude quake. You can view GeoNet's report here.
4:53am: YouTube user amnlobo has posted a video of his trip from Victoria Square home, and it is an incredible watch. Check it out here.
4:45am: Civil Defence also says that while the Hagley Park centre is at capacity with 200 people there, reports that people showing up there will be turned away are incorrect. Any person who shows up will be cared for until they are able to be transferred to Burnside High School.
4:31am: Have just spoken to Civil Defence again. Some good news this time, with a spokesman saying "the number of casualties is still sitting fluid, we think it's less than 65, at the moment, but exact numbers aren't known yet."
He also said there are plans to evacuate up to 1200 non-Christchurch residents - both international visitors and those from around NZ - today, and the way this will be done will be revealed at a press conference in an hour.
Rescue teams have continued to find people throughout the night, offering a bit of positivity in a grim 24 hours.
3:55am: And the shaking continues, with a third aftershock in half an hour occurring at 3:35am. This was a magnitude 4.0 quake, and again close to the lunchtime epicentre. GeoNet report is available here.
3:50am: Another aftershock has occurred at 3:30am, this time a magnitude 4.6. GeoNet report is available here.
3:49am: Emergency services are appealing for those who have information on the layout of the CTV Building to get in touch, as this may help them free those who are trapped inside. Those with knowledge are requested to head to Latimer Square.
3:26am: The aftershock felt at 3:06am had a magnitude of 4.7, and was very close to the epicentre of yesterday's 6.3 quake, and at the same depth. View the GeoNet report here.
3:10am: The distinctive Shag Rock near Sumner has been absolutely flattened. Before photo courtesy of Tim Edmonds and after courtesy of Flickr user threechairs.
3:06am: A large aftershock has just been felt in Christchurch, as soon as there is an update on the size, I will have it here.
3:03am: Christchurch City Mayor Bob Parker spoke to Newstalk ZB's Kerre Woodham earlier tonight. Listen here.
3:01am: The Grampian Fire Service is sending a search and rescue team to NZ after the Scottish Department for International Development received an official request for help from the NZ Government.
2:42am: The US Embassy in NZ has asked for anyone with information or enquiries about US citizens and tourists in New Zealand to email chchquake@state.gov
2:33am: Labour Party MP Kris Faafoi has just arrived in Christchurch to try and get to his family.
He has described "huge potholes" littering the roads, as well as liquefaction.
He says a lot of people trying to get home have simply abandoned their cars due to the difficulty driving.
2:26am: UK Prime Minister David Cameron has addressed the media in Kuwait to speak about the Christchurch quake.
"The people of New Zealand have been hit by a devastating earthquake, not once, but twice in a matter of months, and I want to pay tribute to their resilience,"he says.
"They have our deepest sympathies and condolences.
"I have been in touch with my good friend, prime minister John Key, and he knows that Britain stands ready to provide whatever assistance is required in support of the local emergency services.
"We have agreed to send a search and rescue team, which has deployed immediately.
"Our High Commissioner is on her way to Christchurch as we speak to see if there is anything more we can do.
"We are also scaling up our resources in-country, reinforcements to our consular team will arrive today with more on standby to ensure we do all we can to help any affected British nationals.
"There are many people in Britain with ties of friendship or family to New Zealand.
"They will be following events particularly closely and with understandable anxiety.
"I believe I speak on behalf of everyone in our country when I say that we all stand with New Zealand at this moment, at this dark and difficult time."
2:12am: Civil Defence has not had much word from Lyttelton, but says that they are confident this is due to the time of night.
There are three urban search and rescue teams in operation in Christchurch, with Australian teams due to arrive shortly. Flights will be provided for tourists who wish to leave the region.
2:03am: TVNZ reporter Matty McLean has tweeted witnessing a Japanese man be pulled from the rubble, but only after having his leg amputated.
1:56am: UK Prime Minister David Cameron has sent a search team to help with the operation in Christchurch, and offered his deepest sympathies to New Zealand.
1:46am: A reminder that if you wish to lodge an enquiry with regards to missing relatives you can call the Red Cross National Enquiry Centre on 0800 733 276.
1:43am: Christchurch's sister city, Christchurch, Dorset, in the UK is passing on its deepest condolences to the Canterbury region.
1:33am: The NZ Police would like to remind the deaf and hearing impaired of their service. In an emergency, you can text 111 to receive assistance. More information is here: http://ht.ly/40UfO
1:21am: YouTube user theboybiggles has posted a clip of he and his friends riding around Christchurch after the quake. You can see it here. Similarly, Flickr user Shazster is posting photos she took of the devastation, which you can view here.
1:13am: Rugby World Cup 2011 Limited has released the following statement:
"At this time RWC 2011 must take a back seat while Christchurch deals with the aftermath of this tragedy. Our thoughts are very much with the people of the region. It is too early to talk about any implications for the tournament and any assessment must wait while the rescue and recovery efforts take priority."
1:08am: Another aftershock has been felt in Christchurch, magnitude 3.9 at 12:57am. There have now been 53 shakes in the Canterbury region since 12:34pm yesterday.
12:55am: Civil Defence says there are 'certainly more people than there is capacity' at Christchurch's emergency centres, with around 1500 people currently needing assistance. As people roll in to centres, they are being relocated.
12:45am: Two further aftershocks have shaken Christchurch and the Canterbury region, a 3.7 at 12.15am and a 4.3 at 12:18am.
12:28am: I have just spoken with Mike McRoberts, who has visited the emergency centre at Hagley Park. A marquee being used for the Ellerslie Flower Show has been cleared out and has housed as many as 700 evacuees - most of them tourists. Mr McRoberts reports that there were a mixture of nationalities at the centre, Kiwi, Australian, French and British.
Those at the centre have been given blankets, pillows and food.
Many of those at the centre have been bussed to Burwood Hospital and Burwood School, but 200 of those chose to stay at the Hagley centre overnight.
Mr McRoberts also says the weather is "terrible, conditions are awful". The MetService says that there is light rain falling and it is 12 degrees, with a light south-westerly. A few showers will push out toward the west. Southerlies are expected to dry out, and fine spells are expected after mid-day. It is expected to reach 18 degrees tomorrow.
12:05am: A magnitude 4.4 aftershock has shaken Christchurch at 12:02am. It was 5km deep.
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