New Zeland quake similar to the one that devastated Haitihttp://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/world/2010/9/4/36849/New-Zeland-quake-similar-to-the-one-that-devastated-HaitiWellington.– An earthquake with a magnitude equivalent to the one that rocked Haiti has hit New Zealand's South Island early Saturday, local media reported today.
The powerful 7.1-magnitude quake has not occasioned a tsunami alert and while there have been limited reports of injuries, substantial damage and looting has taken place in Christchurch.
A state of emergency has been declared in order to try and restore order and to coordinate recovery operations. As darkness fell in New Zealand's second-largest city, a curfew was put in place for central Christchurch from 7pm tonight until 7am tomorrow.
The quake, which hit 30 kilometers west of the southern city of Christchurch, shook a wide area with some residents saying buildings had collapsed and power was severed.
Christchurch Hospital said it had treated two men with serious injuries and a number of people with minor injuries. One man was hit by a falling chimney and was in serious condition, while a second was badly cut by glass, hospital spokeswoman Michele Hider said.
