Menu
22/02/2011
Irish Victims Sought After NZ Quake
The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin says it is "urgently" working with New Zealand government officials on the possibility of any of its nationals being caught up in Tuesday morning's earthquake.
The Department said they are trying to make contact with Irish nationals registered in the area, as there are believed to be around 1,000 Irish people living around the quake's epicentre in Christchurch.
New Zealand's Prime Minister said at least 65 people have died and at least 200 people are believed trapped under rubble. The quake struck at 11.51pm on Monday, only 10km southeast of the city.
Police said that among the dead were people on two buses, which had been crushed by falling buildings.
New Zealand police officers, including those skilled in disaster victim identification roles, are travelling to Christchurch, which is the largest city in the county's south island, (pictured) as part of the emergency response to the earthquake, which measured 6.3 on the Richter scale.
According to local police sources, around 200 staff have been mobilised as part of the immediate response with another 130 expected to travel in the next few days to support their Canterbury colleagues and other agencies deal with the tragedy.
Some 50 officers from the Wellington Police District including two DVI officers and two recovery dogs are travelling by ferry and over 100 other officers and staff are arriving in the area.
A second phase of 130 staff is also being drawn from other police districts.
Overnight rain is believed to be causing complications in the search and rescue of victims thought caught amongst fallen rubble, but a police spokesman said emergency services and disaster response agencies were continuing "all possible efforts" to search buildings in the central business district and other parts of the city.
The British Foreign Office in London is offering consular assistance for anyone with concerns regarding family or friends who may be in the Christchurch area. They can be contacted on 0207 008 1500.
The Government in the Republic of Ireland has also issued a number. The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin can be contacted on 00 353 1 478 0822.
They said that anyone with concerns regarding family or friends who may be in the Christchurch area is asked to contact the Department or register details on the Department's travel registration system, a link to which is available on the Dublin Department's homepage:www.dfa.ie
(DW/GK)
The Department said they are trying to make contact with Irish nationals registered in the area, as there are believed to be around 1,000 Irish people living around the quake's epicentre in Christchurch.
New Zealand's Prime Minister said at least 65 people have died and at least 200 people are believed trapped under rubble. The quake struck at 11.51pm on Monday, only 10km southeast of the city.
Police said that among the dead were people on two buses, which had been crushed by falling buildings.
New Zealand police officers, including those skilled in disaster victim identification roles, are travelling to Christchurch, which is the largest city in the county's south island, (pictured) as part of the emergency response to the earthquake, which measured 6.3 on the Richter scale.
According to local police sources, around 200 staff have been mobilised as part of the immediate response with another 130 expected to travel in the next few days to support their Canterbury colleagues and other agencies deal with the tragedy.
Some 50 officers from the Wellington Police District including two DVI officers and two recovery dogs are travelling by ferry and over 100 other officers and staff are arriving in the area.
A second phase of 130 staff is also being drawn from other police districts.
Overnight rain is believed to be causing complications in the search and rescue of victims thought caught amongst fallen rubble, but a police spokesman said emergency services and disaster response agencies were continuing "all possible efforts" to search buildings in the central business district and other parts of the city.
The British Foreign Office in London is offering consular assistance for anyone with concerns regarding family or friends who may be in the Christchurch area. They can be contacted on 0207 008 1500.
The Government in the Republic of Ireland has also issued a number. The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin can be contacted on 00 353 1 478 0822.
They said that anyone with concerns regarding family or friends who may be in the Christchurch area is asked to contact the Department or register details on the Department's travel registration system, a link to which is available on the Dublin Department's homepage:www.dfa.ie
(DW/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 June 2016
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
20 November 2008
Officers Target Of 'Coffee Jar' Bomb, Says Police Boss
A so-called 'coffee jar' bomb recovered in west Belfast last night was planted to injure police officers, a top cop has claimed. Police were responding to a security alert in an area close to the New Barnsley Police Station, when the device was found.
Officers Target Of 'Coffee Jar' Bomb, Says Police Boss
A so-called 'coffee jar' bomb recovered in west Belfast last night was planted to injure police officers, a top cop has claimed. Police were responding to a security alert in an area close to the New Barnsley Police Station, when the device was found.
27 February 2013
Bomb Alert Was Hoax Says PSNI
A bomb alert in Newtownabbey has been declared a hoax. PSNI have described the security alert as an "elaborate hoax". The M5, was closed in both directions from Hazelbank to Doagh Road, on Tuesday night. All roads have re-opened.
Bomb Alert Was Hoax Says PSNI
A bomb alert in Newtownabbey has been declared a hoax. PSNI have described the security alert as an "elaborate hoax". The M5, was closed in both directions from Hazelbank to Doagh Road, on Tuesday night. All roads have re-opened.
14 May 2012
Seven Police Officers Disciplined Over Pensioner's Death
Seven police officers have been disciplined over an investigation into the death of Lisburn man Jim Heasley in October 2010. The 70-year-old was assaulted as he walked home from Lagan Valley Pigeon Club. An investigation by the Police Ombudsman found a series of failings in the initial police response.
Seven Police Officers Disciplined Over Pensioner's Death
Seven police officers have been disciplined over an investigation into the death of Lisburn man Jim Heasley in October 2010. The 70-year-old was assaulted as he walked home from Lagan Valley Pigeon Club. An investigation by the Police Ombudsman found a series of failings in the initial police response.
04 September 2009
PSNI Cuts Uproar
An already financially beleaguered police service is facing fresh cutbacks. As a result, the Northern Ireland Policing Board is to challenge the Government over proposed £17m cuts in the police service budget. Members are expected to hold a crunch meeting with the NIO Security Minister, it has been announced.
PSNI Cuts Uproar
An already financially beleaguered police service is facing fresh cutbacks. As a result, the Northern Ireland Policing Board is to challenge the Government over proposed £17m cuts in the police service budget. Members are expected to hold a crunch meeting with the NIO Security Minister, it has been announced.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
