New Zealand Disasters: Christchurch Earthquake (22 February 2011)

At 12.51 p.m. on Tuesday 22 February 2011, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake caused severe damage in Christchurch and Lyttelton, killing 185 people and injuring several thousand.

The earthquake’s epicentre was near Lyttelton, just 10 km southeast of Christchurch’s central business district. It occurred nearly six months after the 4 September 2010 earthquake.

The earthquake struck at lunchtime, when many people were on the city streets. More than 130 people lost their lives in the collapse of the Canterbury Television and Pyne Gould Corporation buildings. Falling bricks and masonry killed 11 people, and eight died in two city buses crushed by crumbling walls. Rock cliffs collapsed in the Sumner and Redcliffs area, and boulders tumbled down the Port Hills, with five people killed by falling rocks.

Although not as powerful as the magnitude 7.1 earthquake on 4 September 2010, this earthquake occurred on a shallow fault line that was close to the city, so the shaking was particularly destructive.

The earthquake brought down many buildings damaged the previous September, especially older brick and mortar buildings. Heritage buildings suffered heavy damage, including the Provincial Council Chambers, Lyttelton’s Timeball Station, the Anglican Christchurch Cathedral and the Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. More than half of the buildings in the central business district have since been demolished, including the city’s tallest building, the Hotel Grand Chancellor.

Liquefaction was much more extensive than in September 2010. Shaking turned water-saturated layers of sand and silt beneath the surface into sludge that squirted upwards through cracks. Thick layers of silt covered properties and streets, and water and sewage from broken pipes flooded streets. House foundations cracked and buckled, wrecking many homes. Irreparable damage led to the demolition of several thousand homes, and large tracts of suburban land were subsequently abandoned.

The government declared a national state of emergency the day after the quake. Authorities quickly cordoned off Christchurch’s central business district. The cordon remained in place in some areas until June 2013. Power companies restored electricity to 75 per cent of the city within three days, but re-establishing water supplies and sewerage systems took much longer.

Source: 'Christchurch earthquake kills 185', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/page/christchurch-earthquake-kills-185, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 20-Feb-2019

See also: Memorial Guide https://www.canterburyearthquakememorial.co.nz/assets/Uploads/OTA10...

As at 9 February 2012, the official earthquake toll was 185 victims:

• 115 people died in the Canterbury Television (CTV) building
• 18 people died in the Pyne Gould Corporation (PGC) building
• 8 people died on buses in the central city
• 28 people died in other areas of the central city
• 12 people died in suburban locations

The majority of victims were identified through the Police disaster victim identification process, or were visually identified at Christchurch Hospital. Four victims were unable to be identified. In addition to the 181 victims identified through the Police disaster victim identification process, the Chief Coroner has determined that an additional four deaths were directly associated with the 22 February earthquake.

Many thanks to the New Zealand Police website for the following list of 185 victims:

1. Maysoon Mahdi Abbas, 61
2. Lalaine Collado Agatep, 38
3. Husam Sabar Al-Ani, 55
4. Jane-Marie Alberts, 44
5. Mary Louise Anne Bantillo Amantillo, 23
6. Emmabelle Cabahug Anoba, 26
7. Jayden Brytane Andrews-Howland, 15
8. Marina Arai, 19
9. Linda Isobel Arnold, 57
10. Pamela Christina Barkle, 72
11. Dominic Joseph Gerard Bell, 45
12. Valquin Descalsota Bensurto, 23
13. Heidi Julie Berg, 36
14. Matthew Lyle Beaumont, 31
15. Carey Stuart Bird, 48
16. Andrew James Llewellyn Bishop, 33
17. Nina Jane Bishop, 32
18. Iris Botting (née Cone), 88
19. Pamela Maree Brien (née Cave), 53
20. Rhys Frank Brookbanks, 25
21. Melanie Jane Brown (née Gentle), 54
22. Henry Ross Bush 75
23. Ivy Jane Cabunilas, 33
24. Yu Cai, 31
25. Ian Neville Caldwell, 47
26. Cristiano Carazo-Chandler, 35
27. Helen Margaret Chambers (née Johnston), 44
28. Yang Chen (née ?), 29
29. John Kristoffer Villegas Chua, 24
30. Susan Patricia Chuter, 52
31. Stephen Andrew Cochrane, 43
32. Rachel Elizabeth Conley, 27
33. Philip Graeme Reeve COPPEARD, age 41 of Christchurch
34. Patrick John COUPE, age 46 of Christchurch
35. Donald Ashby COWEY, age 82 of Christchurch
36. Andrew Christian Ross CRAIG, age 46 of Christchurch
37. John Barry CRAIG (known as Barry), age 67 of Christchurch
38. Estelle Marie CULLEN, age 32 of Christchurch
39. Dr Tamara CVETANOVA, age 42 (female) of Serbia, resident in Christchurch
40. Betty Irene DICKSON, age 82 of Christchurch
41. Joanna Clare Didham (née Beveridge), 35
42. Jennifer Ann DONALDSON, age 55 of Christchurch
43. Paul Clarence DUNLOP, age 67 of Rolleston Selwyn District
44. Marielle FALARDEAU, age 60 of Canada
45. Dian Mary FALCONER, age 54 of Christchurch
46. Adam Stephen FISHER, age 27 of Belfast, Christchurch
47. Maureen Valerie FLETCHER, age 75 of Christchurch
48. Ian FOLDESI, age 64 (male) of Christchurch
49. Jewel Jose FRANCISCO, age 26 of the Philippines
50. Samuel Reese GIBB, age 27 of Christchurch
51. Jaime Robert McDowell GILBERT, age 22 of Christchurch
52. Joanne May GILES, age 60 of Christchurch
53. Baxtor Warwick GOWLAND, age 5 months of Christchurch
54. Elizabeth Jane GRANT (known as Jane) age 51 (female) of Belfast, Christchurch
55. Natasha Sarah HADFIELD, age 38 of Kaiapoi
56. Yuki HAMASAKI, age 23 (female) of Japan
57. Xiling HAN, age 25 (female) of China
58. Tamara Lia HARCA, age 59 (female) from Romania, resident in Christchurch
59. Jayden HARRIS, age 8 months of Christchurch
60. Yuki HASUMOTO, age 22 (female) of Japan
61. Yumiko HATA (female), age 29 of Japan
62. Miki HAYASAKA, age 37 female) from Japan
63. Wen HE, age 25 (female) of China
64. Jen/Jin HII, age 34 (female) of Malaysia
65. Yuko HIRABAYASHI, age 28 (female) from Japan
66. Yoshiko HIRAUCHI, age 61 of Japan
67. Marion Isabella McKirdy Hilbers (née Berry), 49
68. Christopher Grant HOMAN, age 34 of Christchurch
69. Amanda Jane Hooper (née Christie), 30
70. Megumi HORITA (female), age 19 of Japan
71. Hifumi HOSHIBA, age 41 (female) from Japan
72. Siwen HUO (female), age 28 of China
73. Haruki HYAKUMAN (male), age 27 of Japan
74. Rika HYUGA, age 30 (female) of Japan
75. Toshiko IMAOKA, age 34 (female), of Japan
76. Gabi INGEL, age 22 of Israel
77. Thanydha INTARANGKUN, age 36 (female), of Thailand
78. Tomoki ISHIKURO, age 19 (male) of Japan
79. Kyle Brandon JACK-MIDGLEY, age 27 from Christchurch
80. Man JIN, age 26 (female) of China
81. Kayo KANAMARU, age 19 (female) of Japan
82. Kyoko KAWAHATA, age 20 of Japan
83. Beverley Faye Kennedy (née Grenfell), 60
84. Saori KIKUDA, age 19 (female) of Japan
85. Yasuhiro KITAGAWA (male), age 39 of Japan
86. Chang LAI, age 27 (female) of China
87. Wai Fong LAU, age 87 of Christchurch
88. Hsin Hung LEE, age 32 (female) of Taiwan
89. Normand LEE, age 25 of Christchurch
90. Jin-Yan LENG, age 30 (female), of China
91. Ofer LEVY, age 22 of Israel
92. De LI, age 18 (male) of China
93. Wanju LI, age 44 (female) of China
94. Xia LI (female), age 42 of China
95. Phimphorn LIANGCHUEA (female), age 41 of Thailand
96. Adrienne Isobel LINDSAY, age 54 of Christchurch
97. Haruthaya LUANGSURAPEESAKUL, age 32 of Thailand
98. Shawn LUCAS, age 40 (male) of Christchurch - Unidentified victims
99. Scott William Emerson LUCY, age 38
100. Catherine McNicol LUNNEY, age 62 of Christchurch
101. Donna Merrie Manning( née Gardiner), 43
102. Kelly Lynn Maynard (née Hlaca), 43
103. Philip John McDONALD, age 57 of Ashburton
104. Matthew Stuart McEACHEN, age 25
105. Owen Thomas McKENNA, age 40 of Christchurch
106. Teresa MCLEAN (nee ELMS) age 40 (female) a NZ Citizen from Great Britain, resident in Kaiapoi
107. Heather Marilyn MEADOWS, age 66 (female) of Christchurch
108. Ezra Mae Sabayton MEDALLE, age 24 (female) of Philippines
109. Janet Dawn MELLER, age 58, of Christchurch
110. Adrienne MEREDITH, age 36 of Christchurch
111. Ofer Binyamin MIZRAHI, age 22 of Israel
112. Kelsey Sinitta MOORE, age 18 of Christchurch
113. Emi MURAKAMI, age 19 (female) of Japan
114. Jillian Lesley MURPHY, age 48 of Christchurch
115. Melissa Ann NEALE, age 41 of Wellington
116. Erica Avir Reyes NORA, age 20 (female) of Phillipines
117. Blair James O'CONNOR, age 34 of Christchurch
118. John Joseph O'CONNOR, age 40 of Ireland
119. Noriko OTSUBO, age 41 (female) of Japan
120. Linda Rosemary PARKER, age 50 of Christchurch
121. Joseph Tehau POHIO, age 40 of Christchurch
122. Taneysha Gail Rose PRATTLEY, age 5 weeks of Christchurch
123. Wanpen PREEKLANG, age 45 (female), of Thailand
124. Jessie Lloyd REDOBLE, age 30 (male) of the Philippines
125. Deborah Ann ROBERTS, age 39 of Christchurch
126. Joseph Stuart ROUTLEDGE (known as Stuart), age 74 of Christchurch
127. Lucy ROUTLEDGE, age 74 of Christchurch
128. Saya SAKUDA, age 19 (female) of Japan
129. Yoko SAKURAI, age 27 (female) of Japan
130. Jeff Pelesa SANFT, age 32 of Christchurch
131. Gillian SAYERS, age 43 of Christchurch (UK citizen)
132. Susan Lyn SELWAY, age 50 (female) of Christchurch
133. Emma SHAHARUDIN, age 35 of Lincoln, Christchurch
134. Dr Allan Alexander SINCLAIR, age 45 of Christchurch
135. Elizabeth SINCLAIR, age 76 (female), of Christchurch - The Chief Coroner has determined that an additional four deaths were directly associated with the 22 February earthquake.
136. Christopher Patrick SMITH, age 48 of Selwyn
137. Christine Patricia (Trish) STEPHENSON, age 61 of Christchurch
138. Reta STEWART, age 81 (female) of Christchurch - The Chief Coroner has determined that an additional four deaths were directly associated with the 22 February earthquake.
139. Beverley May STICK, age 71 of Christchurch
140. Earl Nicholas STICK, age 78 of Christchurch
141. Neil Glyn STOCKER, age 58
142. Michael Stuart Coulter STYANT, age 41 of Christchurch
143. Rhea Mae SUMALPONG, age 25 (female) of the Philipines - Unidentified victims
144. Yoko SUZUKI, 31 (female), of Japan
145. Te Taki (Wally) TAIRAKENA, age 60 of Christchurch
146. Hiroko TAMANO, age 43 (female), from Japan
147. Brian Warrington TAYLOR, age 66 (male) of Christchurch
148. Isaac James THOMPSON, age 21, of Rangiora
149. Desley Ann THOMSON, age 32 of Christchurch
150. Lesley Jane THOMSON, age 55 of Christchurch
151. Gregory James TOBIN, age 25 of the United Kingdom (visiting Christchurch)
152. Shane Robert TOMLIN, age 42 of Christchurch
153. Elsa TORRES DE FROOD, age 53 (female) of Peru (NZ resident) - Unidentified victims
154. Asuka TSUCHIHASHI (female), age 28 of Japan
155. Hui Yun TU (female), age 22 of China
156. Yurika UCHIHIRA, age 19 (female) of Japan
157. Amanda Jayne (Mandy) Uriao (née Walker), 38
158. Valeri VOLNOV, age 41 (male) of Russia (NZ resident) - Unidentified victims
159. Jittra WAITHAYATADAPONG (female), age 40 of Thailand
160. Limin WANG, age 32 (female) of China
161. Tao WANG, age 29 (female) of China
162. Graham WEILD, age 77
163. Joan Dorothy WEILD, age 76
164. Lisa Patricia WILLEMS, age 43 of Christchurch
165. Julie Kathryn WONG, age 37 of Christchurch (dual UK and NZ citizenship)
166. Siriphan WONGBUNNGAM, age 27 of Thailand
167. Murray John WOOD, age 56 of Christchurch
168. Owen Morris WRIGHT, age 40 of Lyttelton
169. Stephen Robert WRIGHT, age 46 of Christchurch
170. Paul Khye Soon WU, age 60 of Christchurch (NZ citizen from Malaysia)
171. Sisi XIN, age 28 (female) of China
172. Linlin XU, age 26 (female) of China
173. Xiujuan XU, age 47 (female), of China
174. Ayako YAMAGUCHI, age 30 (female) of Japan
175. Mina YAMATANI, age 19 (female) of Japan
176. Didem YAMAN, age 31 (female) of Turkey
177. Caiying YE, age 27 (female) of China
178. Saki YOKOTA, age 19 (female) of Japan
179. Gilhwan YU, age 23 of Korea
180. Naon YU, age 21 (female) of South Korea
181. Hui ZHANG (female), age 34 of China
182. Weiyu ZHANG, age 30 (female) of China
183. Di-Di ZHANG, age 23 (female), of China
184. Yantao ZHONG, age 31 (female) of China
185. Xioa-Li ZHOU, age 26 (female), of China