Christchurch...

[cabaiste84]

So, as a lot of you probably know by now, there was a massive earthquake in Christchurch yesterday afternoon. A lesser one than the 4 September quake last year, richter scale-wise- but this one was only 5km deep, and not that far from the central city. So, the damage has been absolutely horrific. The CBD area has been all but completely flattened-

Comments

[lydia_petze]

I was glued to it all yesterday and today as much as I could be while I'm working. So horrible :(

[cabaiste84]

Yup, it's been just terrible. :( It's been amazing, though, how many people from overseas (including Oz!) have rushed to Christchurch's aid, and have volunteered their services. Still, it's been a dark couple of days, even for those of us not directly affected.

[kiwiria]

*hugs* It's just HORRIBLE! 2 months later, and I'd have been there... a fact that's hitting Lars rather hard just now.

[cabaiste84]

*hugs back* It's scary, isn't it? Me, I was there 2 months ago, for a mate's wedding. I was in Cathedral Square, when it was beautiful and intact, and was in Sumner, my favourite spot, for an afternoon. And now, it's all completely unrecognisable, and families in the suburb are being evacuated by the dozen. It's very surreal, and horribly sad

[kiwiria]

Very scary, and absolutely devastating and heartbreaking. Thanks for the offer to chat. I'm actually surprised at how upset I am, but thankfully have received lots of support - even people at work have come up and told me that they thought of me when they heard the news. I thought that was so sweet of them!

*hugs*

[abitunlikely]

So glad your friends and loved ones are safe.

[bojojoti]

I was glad to hear that my LJ friends were safe, but it's been terrible watching the devastation. Those buildings were pancaked. I hope there have been other positive stories of rescues.

[cabaiste84]

There have been some AMAZING stories. For instance, one gentlemen helped lower his colleagues down about 20 FLOORS, abseil style, after the staircase at their building collapsed. One woman escaped from her car, after it got completely crushed by a stone wall, with only a black eye! There were three women who managed to walk out of the collapsed CTV building, with only cuts and bruises. Of course, there was the young couple who got married on Friday that I mentioned in my post (and I cried so much watching shots of their wedding on the News!). And this one is my favourite- a Mum being reunited with her 11 year old daughter, after they believed the other were dead. My baby sister is the same age...so yeah, I bawled.

Of course, it's been horrible, and it still hangs very heavy over all of us. But, these stories are a huge beacon of hope.

[bojojoti]

That poor little girl! I'm so glad that she was reunited with her mother.

[cynima]

Thinking of you and all those affected by this terrible tragedy.