Christchurch earthquake: 65 people dead in 'New Zealand's darkest day'
A major earthquake in Christchurch has left at least 65 people dead, hundreds more injured and toppled buildings in what the prime minister has described as "New Zealand's darkest day". Rescue workers scrambled to free scores of people trapped in buildings, some crews arriving by helicopter because streets were blocked by rubble and jammed traffic. Officials fear the death toll could double amid reports that more than 200 were trapped in collapsed buildings and wreckage of homes. Bodies were seen lying in the streets, untended until emergency services were able to reach them. A special "person finder" established by Google, the search engine giant, said it was currently tracking more than 3600 "records".
Daily Mail: At least 65 dead as huge earthquake rocks New Zealand with fears that the toll may rise to 300