UPDATE 1 -- Strong earthquake hits off Christchurch, at least one injured

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UPDATE 1 -- Strong earthquake hits off Christchurch, at least one injured

2011-12-23 08:51:18 GMT+7 (ICT)

CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND (BNO NEWS) -- At least one person was injured on early Friday afternoon when a strong earthquake struck off the New Zealand city of Christchurch, officials said. There were no reports of widespread damage.

The 5.8-magnitude earthquake at 1.58 p.m. local time (0058 GMT) was centered about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) east of Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand. It struck about 8 kilometers (4.9 miles) deep, making it an extremely shallow earthquake, according to the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GeoNet), the country's seismological agency.

Christchurch police said there were no immediate reports of serious injuries or widespread damage. "Scarborough rockface has suffered some collapse but this has been contained by the containers at the foot of the cliff," a police spokesperson said.

However, one person suffered non-serious injuries at Eastgate Mall and was taken to a local hospital. "All major shopping malls have been evacuated and closed," police said. Christchurch Airport has also been evacuated as a precaution.

"All available police units have been mobilized across the city to provide reassurance and check on safety and damage," Christchurch police said. "Police are urging drivers to slow down. There is significant traffic on city streets - but not gridlocked at this stage - and police appeal for drivers to be patient and take care."

Local media said power and phones were out in some areas of the region.

New Zealand has been struck by several earthquakes during the past year. On June 13, a strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck near the city of Christchurch on the South Island, injuring 46 people. It followed a 6.3-magnitude earthquake on February 22 near the same city, killing 181 people and injuring more than 1,500 others.

The earthquake in February was the country's deadliest disaster since a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the Hawke's Bay region on February 3, 1931, killing at least 256 people and injuring thousands more.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-12-23

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UPDATE

19 injured in two major quakes in Christchurch

Follow this link: http://www.thaivisa....n-christchurch/

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