Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Earthquake in Christchurch

Thank you to all the people who have emailed me reagarding the devastating earthquake which hit Christchurch at lunch time yesterday. I live in Auckland (near the top of the North Island), over 1000 kilometres (over 400 miles) away from Christchurch (in the Canterbury region in the middle of the South Island), and no effects were felt where I live.

Christchurch is the same place that had a huge earthquake last year on September 4th.
Yesterdays earthquake was much worse and this time there are many fatalities and people trapped in collapsed buildings. Search and rescue teams are coming from across the world to help out.
It is a shock to all New Zealanders to see the devastation in Christchurch, it really isn't something we ever expected to see here. There are pictures and information here: New Zealand Herald.

My thoughts are with all the people in Christchurch.

Mercedes

42 comments:

  1. Good to hear that you are safe. Prayers to everyone...

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  2. Thanks Mercedes for the informations, really a big desaster this time with so much lives gone already... Take care, Doei, Claude

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  3. Me alegro mucho de que esten bien,siento mucho lo que ha pasado.
    Espero que pronto llege la calma.
    Besos - Rosa

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  4. Mercedes gracias por la información esta mañana vi las noticias y mi primer pensamiento fue a usted, me alegra leer que esta todo bien, y siento muchisimo lo ocurrido. Un saludo desde España

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  5. I'm hope the people of Christchurch get as much help as is needed. This is a horrible devastation. Glad to hear you are okay.

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  6. I was also wondering how close you were and I am glad to see this post. My heart and my prayers go out to all affected and also everyone going in to help, as I imagine even trying to rescue the trapped is very dangerous.

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  7. Good to hear that you and your family are safe. Our thoughts go to those in Christchurch, it is an awful tragedy.
    Julia xx

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  8. I'm so glad to hear you're safe. What a terrible thing to happen again.

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  9. I'm so relieved that you're all safe. What a horrible tragedy and so soon after the last one.

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  10. I'm also very glad to hear that you are safe.All my thoughts are going to people in Christchurch,I hope they get all the help which they need!Jeannette

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  11. I just saw what happened on the news. Awful, awful tragedy.

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  12. Sorry for the tragedy and good to hear that you are well. Hope help will arrive to help save more lives.

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  13. Me alegro que estes bien junto a los tuyos, nosotros aca en Chile el año pasado tambien tuvimos un terremoto 8 grados y un tsunami, fue terrible, todavía estamos en proceso de recuperación, muchos perdieron la vida, sus casas, todo.
    Hasta ahora seguimos con los temblores y hace pocos dias hubo otro grado 7.
    Mucha fuerza para tus compatriotas!!!Besitos

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  14. Hola Mercedes!!! Me alegro mucho que os encontreis bien tu familia y tu. Esta mañana lo vi en las noticias y eran unas imagenes escalofriantes y mi pensamiento voló a tu lado deseandote que estuvieras bien. Lamento las personas muertas y desaparecidas. A veces la naturaleza se ceba con nosotros y no hay fuerza para detenerla. Animos para todos.
    Un abrazo
    Olga.

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  15. Mercedes, I am so happy to hear that you live so far away. I heard the news this morning and naturally you were the first person that came to mind since I know you are in New Zealand. Sorry to hear about all of the deaths too. Living in California I am all too aware of how fast an earthquake can change everything so fast. Christchurch will be in my thoughts in the coming days!

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  16. Kind Greetings from Greece, I am joining prayers from all over the world and sincerly hope that it will comfort all those suffering!

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  17. Glad to hear you are okay. Thinking of everyone affected. I didn't think this sort of devastation would happen in New Zealand as always thought they were better prepared!

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  18. Its good to know your safe. My BIL lives in NZ and he's a nurse in the army so is beeing drafted into the area, It looks horrific from what I have seen on the UK news and my thoughts are with all the families that have been affected by it.

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  19. I am so glad you are safe. It is very sad to see the pictures of beautiful Christchurch in ruins and hear of the fatalities. I traveled throughout New Zealand five years ago and have many happy memories of Christchurch. I am shocked to see the devastation. Take care.

    Ssuan

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  20. Mercedes, so glad to hear that you and your family are fine!
    My thoughts and prayers are with all the affected.
    Warm regards,
    Meli

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  21. Terrible lo sucedido en su pais. Es difícil encontrar palabras de consuelo para los afectados en un acontecimiento de esta magnitud pero me alegro de que usted y su familia se encuentren bien. Un saludo, Eva

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  22. Hola Mercedes, gracias por la información. Cuando me enteré esta mañana de la noticia me acordé de ti y tu familia. Me alegra que esten bien. Espero que la calma vuelva pronto a tu país y que el sufrimiento sea el menor posible. Besos.

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  23. I'm relieved you and your family are okay and very sad for the people of Christchurch. The devastation looks horrible, and it is especially distressing with fatalities this time.

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  24. I'm glad you're safe, but am so horrified to hear of this devastating earthquake.

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  25. It's always so horrible to hear about such tragedies, and especially when you see the damage and all the people affected. Our hearts and thoughts go out to everyone there.

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  26. Love to you, your friends and family in NZ. XX

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  27. I may not post often here, but just wanted to say what a relief it is that you & your family were safely far away from it all, my heart goes out to those affected by this awful event x

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  28. Thank God you are safe. What a terrible situation for the people of Christchurch.

    xo,
    Sophia

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  29. I am glad to hear you are not in the earthquake area.
    Lots of love to you and your family Mercedes!

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  30. I've been thinking about you...So glad to see this post and read that you and your family are safe.
    Sending prayers to those affected by this terrible quake~
    Hugs,
    Jill

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  31. Dear dear Mercedes ! I have tears in my eyes looking at the pictures on TV. I know you are not in Christchurch but may have friends and family in the affected areas. I am glad to see that you have let us know that at least you and your family is safe.

    New Zealand is no longer just another country because for me , I have friends like you and Glenda here. My heart goes out to everyone in Christchurch.

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  32. Dear Mercedes,

    I heard it on the new yesterday evening very late and I was shocked too.
    In Greece we do have earthquiks and I now how scary it is... my hart goes out for all those people who are suffering from this.
    I am very glad to hear that you are okay! You were the first person that I thought of when I saw the news...

    Warm hugs, Jollie

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  33. Glad to know you are safe. We will be praying for your countrymen.

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  34. Poor people! The images on TV about this tragedy are horrific.
    I am glad to hear you and your family are safe, Mercedes.
    Kisses,
    Paloma

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  35. cuando lo vimos en televisión mi familia y yo, estuvimos pensando en ustedes, porque aunque estén lejos seguramente habrán pasado miedo.
    las imágenes son impresionantes.
    un abrazo

    when we saw it on TV my family and I were thinking of you, because even though they surely have been frightened away.
    the images are stunning.
    a hug

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  36. You was in my mind and I'm happy you are Ok. My prayers now go to the people of Chistchurc!
    A big big hug
    Roberta

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  37. I'm so sorry to hear of the devastations and horrors. My niece lives in Christchurch but news is she's OK. And so are you. That's good, still my thoughts go to all who are hit by this. I wish those affected lot's of strength and support. Nature is fierce sometimes...

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  38. Sending your country some extra prayers and for all those that are effected by this terrible earthquake.

    Thank you for visiting me the other day...xoxoxo

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  39. Dear Mercedes,
    I'm glad to hear that you and your family are okay ! All my thoughts are going to people in Christchurch.

    Mini hugs from Belgium,
    Marie

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  40. I am relieved to know you and your loved ones are safe! It is scary to think this can happen anywhere! It is heartbreaking to see the destruction and the loss of life. You are in my prayers.

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  41. So relieved to hear that you and your family are okay. The news is devastating. My prayers go to all of those in Christchurch.

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Thank you for your comments!