25/02/2011

Two Britons Dead In Christchurch Quake

The Foreign Office has confirmed that two Britons died in the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand's second city.

One UK national has been named as Gregory Tobin, 25, a Chef from Tadcaster in North Yorkshire.

He had been on a round-the-world trip and had been working at a garage in Christchurch.

Chris Harrington, British High Commission spokesman said two other British men are believed to be among 228 people still missing.

He said: "They got on a certain bus, which was crushed by falling masonry."

Mr Harrington said another Briton with a fractured skull, broken clavicle and broken ribs was in Christchurch Hospital but was expected to make a full recovery.

The 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck at lunchtime on Tuesday, when the South Island city was at its busiest. It is believed to have killed around 65 people.

A British backpacker said the area "looked like a bomb had hit it".

Last September the city was hit by a 7.1-magnitude quake, which left two people seriously injured.

The quake caused an estimated $3bn in damage.

A rescue operation is still underway however no survivors have been found since Wednesday afternoon.

(BMcN/GK)

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