Big earthquake in Christchurch

[ZacharyQuack]

Hope all Cantab MNers are safe.

Me too, I am up in Wellington and so freaked out by it all.Have tried to call some family but of course all the lines are down.I cant believe they have to go through all this again.

My family has just been in touch on FB, so internet is running

Just seen this on news in uk - hope everyone's ok.Says on tv some internet down.

They're asking everyone not to use mobile phones for non-urgent calls, to avoid overloading the networks - there are people in Christchurch who will be needing to use their phones to try to get through to emergency services.

Just got back from kindy, one of the mums there has brother and parents in Christchurch, she was desperately trying to get through to them.

Awful, just awful. Could you feel it in Wellington? I have heard it was felt pretty far afield.

My sister is in Chch. She was at the pub having lunch when it hit, said she ended up under the table clutching her glass of wine with no idea how she got there. She was very grateful that the survived.

Apparently it was felt in Wellington, but I didn't notice it.

Phone lines seem to be out in general, we're in Auckland and there are no international or local lines. Internet working though. I guess lines are overloaded. Just lucky dh in Rotorua today and not Christchurch.

they say to text and not phone for now.

Yeah I just dialled my mobile to check and am getting engaged tone. Think the networks just totally overloaded at moment. Won't be trying to use phone again! Army are being sent in to Christchurch to help. Shocking to see Christchurch Cathedral destroyed. Even worse to think of all the people in there and other buildings.

Im in Wellington and I didn't feel anything - only heard about this when I got home from work.
Hoping all the MNers in Christchurch are OK.

DH works in the centre of Wellington and he said they did apparently feel it there.

My family all there. Very scary for them. Thankfully all ok. We are in Wellington. Its supposed to happen here rather than there....

I am watching the footage on the news now. There are hotel collapsed, busses crushed and they are saying multiple casualties.
I do hope that everyones family and friends are safe and well.

My sister is there and I can't get hold of any news. Just hoping everyone's ok.

Hoping you are all okay NZ mumsnetters and friends and family...

thank goodness - just heard that my sister and her husband are ok. Thinking of any of you who haven't heard yet

Hope all you ChCh MNers are OK and your loved ones are OK too
Another Welly person here who didn't feel it (nor did DH or the DCs).
thanksamillion fingers and everything else crossed for you.

x-posted thanksamillion, so glad to hear that!

Hope any and all Chch MNers and their families are OK.

We didn't feel it in Nelson (but then we didn't feel the first one either).

Truly terrible to have happened just as the city was beginning to rebuild.

Hoping you all are ok. Anyone know where the uni is relation to the quake? dh friend works there.

Nymphadora I haven't seen any reports of damge to the uni. The central city seems worst affected.

I have a friend whos daughter is at the Uni - its OK apparently.

Thanks! Not sure of the geography of the city. Keep thinking about him being separated from his kids & wife as that's one of my nightmares.

I have managed to get through to my former husband who lives near Christchurch. He is fine

I have sat in Cathedral Square hundreds of times as I lived in NZ for many years.

Can I launch an SOS to anyone in/near Christchurch?

My sister lives there, has just had a baby, is struggling with bfing and is in desperate need of a ^decent breast pump (hers is useless) and Avent bottles/teats asap as she cannot buy anything atm.

Can anyone help?