Tuesday 22nd February, 2011
Mass fatalities have been reported from the quake which hit just five kilometres to the north-west of the city, bringing down buildings and buckling roads.
The Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key, has confirmed that 65 deaths have been reported thus far, but this toll is expected to climb.
The highest level of emergency has been declared and the city is being evacuated.
The earthquake brought down a major multi-story hotel and an insurance building.
The ornate facades of many buildings have been destroyed and water mains have burnt in the main part of Christchurch city.
Images broadcast on local and international news stations showed thick smoke rising across some parts of the city as emergency crews battled to put out fires.
Roads have buckled in many areas, making it difficult for emergency services to reach those in need of help.
Christchurch Cathedral has been badly damaged, with parts of its roof and walls tumbling with the force of the quake.
There have been many fatalities according to local officials and television reports have shown people being stretchered from collapsed buildings.
One woman was trapped for some time on the fourth floor of a semi-collapsed hotel.
Australia has reportedly dispatched rescue teams to assist their neighbour, while the Prime Minister of New Zealand is en-route to the city.
Triage centres have been set up in various parts of the city and the local health officials are letting residents know via television and radio where to go for medical treatment.
A call has also gone out for the public to donate blood, which is reportedly in short supply in the city.
Many people have been trapped by fallen buildings and there are fears that the death toll may be very high. The city centre was packed with workers at the time of the quake.
Christchurch was hit by a 7.1-magnitude earthquake in September last year and has been hit by several aftershocks, but none as severe and close to the city as Tuesday's earthquake.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key in September described it as a miracle that no residents of the city were seriously injured in the quake last year.
Tuesday revealed a different story in the devastated city where ambulances and fire fighters have been completely overwhelmed.
Australia has offered to do anything in its power to help New Zealand.
A 40-person search and rescue team has arrived in Christchurch.
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