7.1-magnitude quake hits New Zealand’s South Island

September 4, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Associated Press

WELLINGTON, New Zealand

A powerful 7.1 -magnitude earthquake struck much of New Zealand’s South Island early today and caused widespread damage, but there were just two reports of serious injuries. Looters broke into some damaged shops in Christchurch, police said.

The quake, which hit 19 miles west of the southern city of Christchurch, according to the state geological agency GNS Science, shook a wide area, with some residents saying buildings had collapsed and power was severed. No tsunami alert was issued.

Christchurch police reported road damage in parts of the city of 400,000 people, with a series of sharp aftershocks rocking the area. Police officers cordoned off some streets where rubble was strewn about. Video showed some cars crushed by heaps of fallen bricks.

“There is considerable damage in the central city, and we’ve also had reports of looting, just shop windows broken and easy picking of displays,” Police Inspector Mike Coleman told New Zealand’s National Radio.

Christchurch Hospital said it had treated two men with serious injuries and a number of people with minor injuries suffered in the quake.

One was hit by a falling chimney and was in serious condition in intensive care, and the second was seriously hurt after being cut by glass, hospital spokeswoman Michele Hider said.

New Zealand sits above an area of the Earth’s crust where two tectonic plates collide. The country records more than 14,000 earthquakes a year — but only about 150 are felt by residents. Fewer than 10 a year do any damage.