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[h=1]'Monster' quake hits Wellington[/h]
A house in Seddon following the large earthquake on the 16th of August - Source: ONE News
Quake damage at Victoria University - Source: Twitter, @AntDCat
A building in Wellington following the large earthquake on the 16th of August - Source: Facebook
A bar in Wellington following the large earthquake on the 16th of August - Source: Facebook
Students hide under desks at Victoria University during the large earthquake on the 16th of August - Source: Andrew Burns (Twitter)
Radio staff hides under desks following the large earthquake on the 16th of August - Source: ONE News
The strong earthquake to hit Wellington this afternoon has been described as a "monster".
The 6.2 quake which hit at 2:31pm was at a depth of 8km and was centred 10.8 kilometres south-east of Seddon.
Seddon resident Murray Jones has described the quake as a "monster, that ripped everything off the walls."
"Mirrors fell off the walls, there's a lot more damage," he told ONE News.
Mr Jones said he would be leaving Seddon tonight, as it's "not safe."
"I'm very shaken," he said.
Mr Jones says the many aftershocks since the big one have been non-stop.
There have been a number of aftershocks after the first quake, some measuring over magnitude 5. However reports of the magnitude have been changing.
No reports of significant damage in Wellington
Police say there are no reports of significant damage in the city, however the worst of the damage is thought to be in the Seddon area, closest to the quake's epicentre.
South of Blenheim, towards Seddon, roads are partially blocked by rockfalls and are cracked in some areas.
There are unconfirmed reports a house has collapsed between Seddon and Blenheim. Emergency services are on the way to the scene. Police are advising motorists to take care on State Highway 1 south of Blenheim.
Large boulders have come down in several places along the highway and motorists are advised not to travel unless absolutely necessary and to expect delays.
While there a number of incidents involving broken glass the wider Wellington area, there are no reports of any casualties so far.
A number of people have been freed from lifts in the CBD which stopped when the quake struck.
Inspector Pete Cowan of Wellington District police is urging people to be patient.
"With trains temporarily suspended and many people leaving the city early police are asking people to be patient as they head home this afternoon, he says.
"There is significant traffic on city centre roads and many people walking home and we ask people to take extra care.
"We also ask people to check on any vulnerable neighbours and alert emergency services if they need assistance." said Mr Cowan.
State Highway One between Weld Pass and Kaikoura is currently closed due to a rock fall.
ONE News will be live on air with a special bulletin on TV ONE at 4pm. Follow live updates here.
There have been numerous reports from the public following the shake. "Definitely felt both the quake and aftershock here in Palmerston North," said David Illingworth.
"I was working in the garage and the house felt as if it lifted and then rocked and swayed. Stopped both of our clocks and weights still swinging at 2:52 pm," he said.
Another person said: "I felt it in Richmond, Nelson. The wall unit shook and so did the TV, and light shades swinging it was really scarey!"
Another, Lorraine, said: "My vertical blinds all started swaying from side to side so fast that they were banging when they hit the ends of the windows, I felt seasick, very scary."
A house in Seddon following the large earthquake on the 16th of August - Source: ONE News
Quake damage at Victoria University - Source: Twitter, @AntDCat
A building in Wellington following the large earthquake on the 16th of August - Source: Facebook
A bar in Wellington following the large earthquake on the 16th of August - Source: Facebook
Students hide under desks at Victoria University during the large earthquake on the 16th of August - Source: Andrew Burns (Twitter)
Radio staff hides under desks following the large earthquake on the 16th of August - Source: ONE News
The strong earthquake to hit Wellington this afternoon has been described as a "monster".
The 6.2 quake which hit at 2:31pm was at a depth of 8km and was centred 10.8 kilometres south-east of Seddon.
Seddon resident Murray Jones has described the quake as a "monster, that ripped everything off the walls."
"Mirrors fell off the walls, there's a lot more damage," he told ONE News.
Mr Jones said he would be leaving Seddon tonight, as it's "not safe."
"I'm very shaken," he said.
Mr Jones says the many aftershocks since the big one have been non-stop.
There have been a number of aftershocks after the first quake, some measuring over magnitude 5. However reports of the magnitude have been changing.
No reports of significant damage in Wellington
Police say there are no reports of significant damage in the city, however the worst of the damage is thought to be in the Seddon area, closest to the quake's epicentre.
South of Blenheim, towards Seddon, roads are partially blocked by rockfalls and are cracked in some areas.
There are unconfirmed reports a house has collapsed between Seddon and Blenheim. Emergency services are on the way to the scene. Police are advising motorists to take care on State Highway 1 south of Blenheim.
Large boulders have come down in several places along the highway and motorists are advised not to travel unless absolutely necessary and to expect delays.
While there a number of incidents involving broken glass the wider Wellington area, there are no reports of any casualties so far.
A number of people have been freed from lifts in the CBD which stopped when the quake struck.
Inspector Pete Cowan of Wellington District police is urging people to be patient.
"With trains temporarily suspended and many people leaving the city early police are asking people to be patient as they head home this afternoon, he says.
"There is significant traffic on city centre roads and many people walking home and we ask people to take extra care.
"We also ask people to check on any vulnerable neighbours and alert emergency services if they need assistance." said Mr Cowan.
State Highway One between Weld Pass and Kaikoura is currently closed due to a rock fall.
ONE News will be live on air with a special bulletin on TV ONE at 4pm. Follow live updates here.
There have been numerous reports from the public following the shake. "Definitely felt both the quake and aftershock here in Palmerston North," said David Illingworth.
"I was working in the garage and the house felt as if it lifted and then rocked and swayed. Stopped both of our clocks and weights still swinging at 2:52 pm," he said.
Another person said: "I felt it in Richmond, Nelson. The wall unit shook and so did the TV, and light shades swinging it was really scarey!"
Another, Lorraine, said: "My vertical blinds all started swaying from side to side so fast that they were banging when they hit the ends of the windows, I felt seasick, very scary."
knn :oIo::kma:
