prayers please for christchurch NZ

[Long Duck Dong]

many of you may not know about the large earthquake in nz in september, that brought one of NZ's largest cities to its knees

we now ask for prayers, as they suffered another major earthquake this morning..... the last was 7.1... this one was 6.3 but shallow so it was more damaging


CHCH earthquake (http://www.stuff.co.nz/4688231/Massive-damage-injuries-in-Christchurch-quake)

if the link takes a minute to load, its cos the phone lines are down and the servers are stressed in NZ

[DuckiesDarling]

Praying, babe. Seeing the places I visited while I was waiting for that bus toppled to the ground like a child done playing with building blocks is quite a shock.

My heart and thoughts go out to all the New Zealanders but mostly the people of Christchurch.

[redheadchick]

Well, DD wanted me to post and so I shall.

I saw the reports and footage on the new 'quake and I can't even begin to imagine what it's like over there with such a major event.

I hope things turn out well and stability is restored. Prayers go out to all of NZ.

[bizel]

my prayers are with them all. i'm there in my thoughts. places i knew and loved, watching them collapsed. horrific. christchurch cathedral just had bits tumbling. i'm stunned. this time, fatalities. so sorry for them. i'm in tears, just dreadful. my warmest thoughts to all who are there, for those that have loved ones there. just can't believe it. been through earthquakes in nz, but nothing like this. no words to describe it. awful.

[Long Duck Dong]

we have confirmed fatalities......

at this stage I am sitting here praying for family members that work in the CHCH central business district.... as that took a big hit......

the main hospital is closed, so is the airport, the port, 80% of chch has no power and there are buildings down everywhere.....

there are reports of buildings falling on buses.....

[Realist]

Not sure what kind of connections I've got "up there" but I'll pass up some hope that someone will watch over them. That's just horrible!

[DuckiesDarling]

Sitting here checking out the new posted pictures and it's still shocking. This is an incredible blow to the people of that region and to NZ itself.

[bizel]

we have confirmed fatalities......

at this stage I am sitting here praying for family members that work in the CHCH central business district.... as that took a big hit......

the main hospital is closed, so is the airport, the port, 80% of chch has no power and there are buildings down everywhere.....

there are reports of buildings falling on buses.....

i'm praying for your family too. this is just awful. will ring sister later cos don't want to block ph lines. she's out of it, but thought of earthquakes terrify her. hang tough, ldd.

[DuckiesDarling]

Pipe fires under Christchurch now, they have put the defense force on standby.

[mikey3000]

How absolutely horrible!! Thoughts and prayers to everyone there. :(

[bizel]

Pipe fires under Christchurch now, they have put the defense force on standby.

that doesn't sound good. are they gas pipes? are they easily turned off, do you know? have the aftershocks calmed down or still strong?

[Long Duck Dong]

bizel go to www.stuff.co.nz... pics and details are there

[DuckiesDarling]

What my babe said, just been reading the updates and listening to Duck as he tells me the news that comes over the tv.

[bizel]

thanks ldd and dd. this is just awful. they just said on tv 4 major aftershocks.

[AidanS57]

You got prayers from both me and S, bro. And she's contacting her people to do some stuff too. Hang in there, Christchurch.


Aidan

[taz321]

Best wishes and prayers go out to anyone that has family in that area, hope all will be well in the coming days ahead!

[Long Duck Dong]

they have just confirmed 65 dead and its gonna climb

[DuckiesDarling]

Just read some of the eyewitness accounts...tearjerking.

[Cherokee_Mountaincat]

Oh man, this is just beyond words Duck. Please be safe and take it easy, ok? Many prayers for all of the folks there...:(
Cat

[darkeyes]

Its all beyond words Duckie. A truly awful and frightening tragedy. Our thoughts go with all the dead and injured and those who love them, and those others who will have lost so much..

[Hephaestion]

Concerns and prayers for all in NZ.

[darkeyes]

For all our advances and our vanities, events such as this shows just what a tenuous and fragile existence we have on this world of ours, and just who is the true mistress of us all. Not humanity, nor God, but Mother Earth herself..

[DuckiesDarling]

They keep updating the pictures and info on the first link that LDD posted. They have had several more strong aftershocks that might as well be called quakes themselves.

They have help coming in from around the world to help with the search and rescue.

A couple of LDD's friends are still unaccounted for but his uncle and niece are safe. Many others all over New Zealand are wondering about loved ones right now, but all the next of kin have been notified for the bodies they have recovered thus far.

Keep praying guys, they desperately need it.

[mikey3000]

Ben watching it all morning here. How shocking!!! Those poor people.

[Briar Rose]

I was worrying for you and yours when I heard the news, though I am a new kid on the block and don't know you all. I'll keep sending out those prayers for everyone there.

[DuckiesDarling]

Death count has risen and they expect more. One of the stories that really got me was the tale of a mother who died at the Cashel Mall with her baby in her arms. But more and more are being found alive, not quite safe, but alive and that is a miracle. They dropped a camera down into one building and found 15 people alive there.

[chapear]

Prayers for everyone over there.

[Canticle]

All those who have suffered in any way, shape or form, in the Christchurch earthquake, are in my prayers. I have a lot of friends in New Zealand and they will be in shock, about this natural disaster, as will the rest of the world.

[DuckiesDarling]

One of Duck's friends, someone he viewed as a sister, was one of the casualities. The pictures of this city are just devastating to look at and I pray that more people are found alive but it's beginning to look like it might be more recovery than rescue at this point.

Keep the prayers coming, please, they are desperately needed.

[darkeyes]

I have written 2 Duckie seperately to express my condolences to him on his loss Darlin' darlin'.. a real tragedy indeed, the more so when like in his case, we are personally affected by loss of one so close.. human beings tho are a remarkably tough lot.. fragile in so many ways, yet after other earthquakes and disasters people have been found alive a week and more after the event.. so don't right off more survivors being found yet..:)

[bizel]

my condolences to ldd. i just don't know how else to put it.

i was worried about a friend but she had left chch the day before. so was very lucky. my heart just goes out for those who have lost and those who still don't know. i can't think of anything worse. i can't even bear to watch the news (tho the bloody news is now one continual broadcast for hours). i couldn't even look here. just hung by the phone. makes everything else pale into insignificance when confronted by this. only people matter - not stuff.


once again, to ldd and all those suffering, so sorry. my prayers and warmest thoughts to you all. big hug, b.

[DuckiesDarling]

Thanks guys, and Fran you are right it's just they reported 15 alive in a building then it turned out they weren't. Just disheartening. Hopefully more and more will be found safe but with communications being sketchy at best there it will be awhile before some can let anyone know they are fine.

[onewhocares]

My heart goes out to those in peril. I am thinking of all our friends here who may be affected. Prayers for our dear friends down under.

Belle

[elian]

Many things are changing very quickly..

I've always thought that Kiwis are generally nice folks, I will hold you all in my thoughts and prayers.

<hugs>

[DuckiesDarling]

Thanks y'all, they are releasing the names of the dead so far identified at some point tonight. Still lots of people missing. The government of New Zealand is concentrating on trying to restore critical services but some some fucking mongrels stole some generators that were powering part of the phone system. In the midst of tragedy there is the good and there is the bad that comes out in a lot of people.

[darkeyes]

We had visitors last night and we all trai[sed down the pub to have dinner.. I hadnt thought of it, but one of the girls who normally works the bar is a New Zealander.. she wasnt on last night and hasnt been since news of the quake came.. I didnt know but she is from near Christchurch and has family both in and around the city. Understandably she has been trying to find out about her family and now wants to do nothing but make her way home asap.

There are many New Zealanders working and studying in this city and being so far from home must be an added stress which they can well do without. So an extra thought for them and all New Zealanders far from home.. may they find their loved ones well upon their return, and homes still in one piece..:) ..and to those who will have lost so much, our condolences and love..

F & K

[bizel]

i was born and raised in nz and know chch. my past had me flee from nz, but no matter how long i live in australia, i seem to be drawn back there. i consider myself australian but no matter how hard i try, they will always be my 'cuzzies across the ditch'. i respect nz so much, it's stand on nuclear weapons etc. i have found this whole thing so shattering. nz is such a quiet peaceful place, with friendly down-to-earth people. this has made me sit back and sort out what's really important. puts things in perspective. will take me a while to adjust and settle again. feel so intensely sorry for everyone concerned.

[12voltman59]

This situation is another great tragedy. They are telling on the news about people texting loved ones saying they are trapped and the one with the boy finally basically giving up and wishing for death is really sad.

I wish all the best for those in New Zealand who have been hurt by this natural disaster and to people like LDD who has family and friends in harm's way thanks to this quake.

[DuckiesDarling]

This is a youtube clip posted by one of my favorite bloggers on Stuff.co. She took it at her house in Christchurch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K24ms4ARjls

[AidanS57]

I just heard the death toll is up to 147 and they are thinking it will go as high as 200. What is heartbreaking is that they acknowledge there may be no way to identify some of the deceased.

I'm still praying as hard as I can for those folk.

Aidan