Gisborne has suffered more extensive damage than initially thought following last night's 6.8 magnitude earthquake. (Yahoo Xtra News Friday 21st December 2007)
A state of emergency was declared after the quake, which hit about 8.55pm yesterday and was centred 50km offshore southeast of Gisborne and 40km deep. It was followed this morning by aftershocks measuring 4.2 and 4.5 on the Richter Scale.
Gisborne District Council (GDC) public information manager Vance Walker told NZPA it had been hoped the central business district (CBD) would be reopened by midday but that had not happened.
"The damage has been a bit more extensive than what we initially thought," he told NZPA.
"We've had to revise our target of opening the CBD fully from 12 midday today until probably mid-afternoon."
An apartment building and two shops had partially collapsed, roofs caved in, water tanks and winery vats burst and gaping holes opened up in roadways. Four houses had been damaged, including one under construction.
Only 11 people reported injuries as a result of the quake.
The council confirmed one elderly woman died of a suspected heart attack around the time the quake struck. The Ministry of Social Development was contacting all pensioners within the area to see how they were going. Anyone with welfare concerns could call the ministry on 0800 779 997.
The Earthquake Commission (EQC) had received 167 claims following the quake, and it was expected many more would be received.
