Christchurch earthquake update

We were in Christchurch three days ago. They had a 6.3 earthquake today around 12:51pm local time, 6:51 Eastern Daylight Savings time, another 5.7 earthquake 5 minutes later. We were having lunch at Franz Josef glacier,of the South Island on the opposite side when it occurred. About 120 miles away. Some of our party felt it. I didn't think I felt it but it felt like my phone was ringing so I think that was it. My phone was off.

From what we hear the cathedral above has been destroyed. I could have the wrong cathedral because we haven't seen pictures. We are now in our hotel in Fox Glacier (we haven't seen any glaciers, the weather is rainy and foggy.) The hospital and airport are closed. The city has run out of ambulances.

We were supposed to take a helicopter ride to the glacier but it was cancelled due to weather, not the earthquake.

Aftershocks are in not in the same area, but around it. Many buildings have collapsed. People are trapped.

More news to follow. It has stopped raining here.

Regards,

Steve & Laurie