Two UK dead in New Zealand quake

24 February 2011 Last updated at 13:17 A UK search-and-rescue team arrived in Christchurch on Thursday Two Britons died in the earthquake that devastated the New Zealand city of Christchurch, the Foreign Office says.

They are among 98 victims whose bodies were taken to a temporary mortuary and their next of kin have been informed. No other details are available.

The earthquake struck at a shallow depth of 5km (3.1 miles) early in the afternoon on Tuesday. About 226 people are still missing.

It was Christchurch's second major tremor in five months.

The authorities in the South Island city say they are still carrying out a rescue operation and specialists are hunting for signs of life.

'Always a chance'

A British search-and-rescue team has recently landed in Christchurch, joining others from the US, Japan and Australia.

Its spokesman, Peter Crook, told the BBC his specialist unit was hoping to find survivors.

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The teams that have been here for several days are now getting very exhausted so we're effectively going to come in and release some of those teams”

End Quote Peter Crook UK search-and-rescue team "We're two-and-a-half days into the earthquake now so that's when the window is starting to close for the most common rescues," he said.

"There is always a chance and the rescue effort will keep going for several days yet.

"History tells us that people can get rescued from the deepest, hardest places to find, sometimes five, six, seven, eight days after the earthquake."

He said the 65-strong team was drawn from 13 different fire services in the UK and they had brought a "planeload" of heavy rescue equipment.

"The teams that have been here for several days are now getting very exhausted so we're effectively going to come in and release some of those teams," he added.

Helplines

The Foreign Office has set up a crisis centre at a hotel near Christchurch airport to issue emergency passports and help its citizens escape the quake zone.

Continue reading the main story Concerned friends and relatives in the UK should call 020 7008 8765 British nationals in New Zealand are advised to call 049 242 898"We have a large consular team on the ground, including our High Commissioner to New Zealand, Vicki Treadell, who are providing full consular assistance to any British nationals that require it," a spokesman said.

"The High Commission in Wellington has been reinforced with additional staff, and we stand ready to send further reinforcements from our posts in the region if required."

A hotline - 020 7008 8765 - has been set up for concerned friends and relatives in the UK.

British nationals in New Zealand are advised to call 049 242 898 for advice and assistance. The Foreign Office website has more information about the consular assistance being provided.

A.nemdil & Press Agencies