Quake shuts Christchurch airport

WELLINGTON, 23 December 2011: The earthquake-devastated New Zealand city of Christchurch was rocked by a powerful 5.8 magnitude tremor Friday forcing evacuations from buildings, residents said.

New Zealand’s second largest city was hit by a 6.3-magnitude quake last February, killing 181 people and destroying much of the downtown area.

Government seismologists measured the latest shake at magnitude 5.8 and said it struck at 1:58pm (0058 GMT) eight km (five miles) deep. Read more