A powerful earthquake has caused widespread devastation in New Zealand's second largest city, Christchurch.
The 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck a couple of miles south east of Christchurch in the middle of the day, when the city's streets were at their busiest.
So far, at least 75 people are known to have died and many more are trapped beneath the rubble.
The emergency services are working as quickly as they can to free survivors. At least 120 people have been saved so far, but officials fear the death toll will rise.
The military is also involved with the rescue effort and the government has accepted an offer of specialist help from Australia.
As the tremors hit, buildings crumbled and water pipes burst, causing flooding in many areas.
The spire of Christchurch Cathedral, in the centre of the city, went toppling into the square below.
People in high-rise buildings had to break the windows and wait for the emergency services to rescue them.
New Zealand experiences more than 14,000 earthquakes a year, but most are fairly minor. Only a few have a magnitude of 5.0 or more.
This earthquake is said to be New Zealand's deadliest natural disaster for 80 years. Prime Minister John Key said: "We may be witnessing New Zealand's darkest day."
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