After tropical storm “Gabrielle”
“Massive and scary”: Strong earthquake in New Zealand
People on the roof of a house in Napier, waiting to be taken to safety by a helicopter. photo
© Hogp/New Zealand Defense Force/AP/dpa
First cyclone “Gabrielle” caused severe flooding in New Zealand, then the earth trembled and caused many people to panic.
A severe earthquake shook New Zealand on Wednesday evening (local time). The quake had a magnitude of 6.1, according to Geonet, the national earthquake agency. The center was near the capital Wellington at a depth of about 48 kilometers in the sea, but the tremors were felt in many parts of the country.
Within a short time, around 60,000 people reported on the Internet that they had felt the tremors clearly, including in the largest city of Auckland and in Christchurch on the South Island, the newspaper “New Zealand Herald” reported.
Many described the quake as “massive and frightening”. It took almost 30 seconds, they said. Eyewitnesses told the German Press Agency that they had sought protection under tables.
Devastating floods caused by “Gabrielle”
The US earthquake monitor USGS put the magnitude at 5.7. There was no tsunami warning. Nothing was initially known about possible injuries or damage.
Many people on the north island of the Pacific state are currently struggling with devastating floods after tropical storm “Gabrielle” swept across the country. Since communication with the flooded areas is limited, it was initially unclear how many people there are now also affected by the quake.