Two minutes’ silence for victims of the Christchurch earthquake

New Zealanders have paid tribute to the victims of the Christchurch earthquake with two minutes’ silence marking the moment the disaster struck last week.

The shallow 6.3 magnitude quake centred at the port town of Lyttelton struck at 12.51pm last Tuesday, killing at least 154 people, with police expecting the final toll to reach “around 240”.

Urban search and rescue (USAR) teams from New Zealand and abroad gathered at the Arts Centre to stand with Mr Key, his wife Bronagh, Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker and Labour leader Phil Goff.

They stood at the intersection of Montreal and Worcester Streets looking toward the Cathedral and the devastated CBD.

As the hundreds stood with heads bowed many of those gathered became visibly upset, with some reduced to tears.

When the silence period finished many stayed to talk and comfort one another.

Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/christchurch-earthquake/news/article.cfm?c_id=1502981&objectid=10709449

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