Deadly Earthquake Hits New Zealand

A deadly 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch, New Zealand on Tuesday, killing at least 65 people and collapsing buildings onto victims, some of whom used their cellphones to frantically call for help, officials said.

Rescuers dug through the rubble overnight amid reports that many people were still trapped and the toll could rise much higher.

A statement posted on the website of the Christchurch Police Department said the fatalities included "two buses crushed by falling buildings." It said that "the central city is currently being evacuated, as reports are received of widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure. Multiple fatalities have been reported at several locations."

Hours after the earthquake struck at 12:51 p.m., the tourist center of 400,000 residents resembled a war zone, a city without electricity or running water in many areas.

Television reports showed bodies being pulled from rubble; it was unclear whether any of them were alive. Footage showed bricks and shattered concrete from buildings strewn in the streets. Sidewalks and roads were cracked and split. Sirens blared as dazed and crying residents, their faces bloodied, wandered the streets or scurried as parts of damaged buildings continued to fall.

Some cars were buried under rubble, and rescuers threw chunks of concrete aside to reach survivors.