NEW ZEALAND: Trading begins in parts of Christchurch, mayor praises the quick recovery

Record ID: 572503

  • Title: NEW ZEALAND: Trading begins in parts of Christchurch, mayor praises the quick recovery
  • Date: 8th September 2010
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) WELFARE OFFICER IN CHARGE GEERT VAN DE VORSTENBOSH SAYING: "Primarily there was an aftershock at about half past three this morning, it was quiet shallow and we have an influx of people coming shortly after." VARIOUS OF WORKERS CLEANING UP DAMAGE
  • Embargoed: 23rd September 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: New Zealand
  • Country: New Zealand
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes
  • Reuters ID: LVAD38L2S1DD93798TVXD8CAUFGA
  • Story Text: The mayor of Christchurch praised the speed of recovery from Saturday's (September 04) 7.1-earthquake as some commuter bus routes were opened and business owners began trading in parts of the city.
    "I think the city coming together incredibly well, given the scale of what we are undergoing. The airport is open and operating, we connecting our basic services right across the city. Reality is full recovery is a long way away, but the city isn't leveled, people are going about their business in a number of places, tourists are coming into the city, Christchurch persists and it will be fine, we will get it back together," Bob Barker told Reuters.
    Several strong aftershocks rattled the city again overnight, prompting more people to arrive in shelters.
    "Primarily there was an aftershock at about half past three this morning, it was quiet shallow and we have an influx of people coming shortly after," welfare officer Geert Van De Vorstenbosh told Reuters.
    The quake was among the 10 strongest recorded in New Zealand, which sits between the Pacific and Indo-Australian tectonic plates, and records more than 14,000 earthquakes a year, of which about 20 top magnitude 5.0.
    Prime Minister John Key was expected to revisit the city later on Monday.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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