Shock 'a step back'

Last updated 12:54 19/04/2011

 

Saturday night's aftershock has forced everyone to take a step back, Civil Defence's national controller says.

"I've frequently described it [the aftershock] as two paces forward and one back for everybody - engineers or residents," John Hamilton said yesterday.

The magnitude-5.3 aftershock had increased the Civil Defence workload, he told a media briefing.

Damaged buildings in the central business district (CBD) sustained further cracks and masonry and bricks fell fromsome central-city buildings, he said.

Twenty-nine water pipes broke across the city, resulting in flooding in the eastern suburbs.

Christchurch Hospital lost power during the 5.49pm aftershock, along with 20,000 homes in the city's south.

Zone 7, east of the CBD which runs from Barbadoes St to Madras St, will open to businesses and residents on Thursday. The area will be open to the public on Friday.