Christchurch, March 06: Long queues formed today as residents and business owners were allowed back into parts of central Christchurch for the first time since the New Zealand city was hit by a devastating earthquake almost two weeks ago.
The central business district had been closed to everyone but rescue crews and emergency service workers since the 6.3-magnitude quake flattened buildings and killed at least 166 people on February 22.
Some areas were opened to residents, business owners and property owners to view properties and collect belongings, with police warning they would not tolerate “disaster tourists” heading into the central city.
Up to 1000 heritage buildings in the city are expected to be demolished in the wake of the quake.
The return comes as authorities revealed yesterday the death toll from the tremor – an aftershock from a 7.0-magnitude quake that hit the city in September 2010 – may be less than initially feared.
It was thought that 22 people were entombed under the rubble of the city’s iconic Cathedral, but authorities were delighted to announce that after thorough checks there were found to be no victims at the site despite witnesses reporting nearly two dozen people were in the building when it collapsed.
However, a series of strong aftershocks and heavy overnight rain making some streets impassable due to floodwaters have combined to further try the patience of residents, the New Zealand Herald reported.
There were still 12,500 customers without power in the city and residents have been ordered to boil water before use and many suburbs are reliant on portable toilets for sewage.
——–Agencies