At least one person was confirmed dead after after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch caused buildings to collapse and streets to crack and flood this afternoon.
The Fire Service confirmed to Radio New Zealand that there had been "deaths" and to Newstalk ZB that there was at least one dead.
Police say "multiple fatalities" have been reported at several locations in the central city. This includes two buses crushed by falling buildings. A doctor and emergency services are attending.