'New Zealand's single most tragic event': PM calls for two minutes' silence as death toll rises to 145 people and British family describe 'near-death

'Lucky to be alive': Mark Ahier, 42, of Wymondham, near Norwich with his wife, Mandy, 40, and their children Maddie, 11, Lucas, nine, and Seth, seven, who ran desperately through the rubble to safety following the tremor which struck on Tuesday


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As the death toll in Christchurch rose today to more than 145 people, the Prime Minister described the tragedy as being New Zealand's 'single most tragic event'.

Police confirmed 145 people lost their lives in the 6.3-magnitude earthquake which struck on Tuesday and more than 200 are still missing.

Demolition began on buildings devastated by the disaster as teams carried on their search for surviving victims.

A British family who were taking a five-week tour of the country described their horrific ordeal as they were hit by the tremor when buying lunch in a bakery - and escaped death by seconds.


Destruction: a quake-damaged house is pulled down on Bealy Ave in Christchurch, New Zealand, 26 February 2011, while hundreds of victims could still be buried under the rubble


Mark Ahier, 42, his wife, Mandy, 40, and their children Maddie, 11, Lucas, nine, and Seth, seven had arrived in the city at 12.20pm - 31 minutes before the quake - and went looking for something to eat.

Mr Ahier, of Wymondham, near Norwich, said: 'We walked through the shopping centre and found a small bakery.

'We hadn't even paid when, without any warning, there was a really violent shaking and lots of noise.

'Everyone rushed out of the shop.'

The father of three stumbled through the rubble of collapsed buildings, seeing dead bodies in the street, before finding a park.

Luckily the family escaped with minor injuries and have managed to escape the country to Queensland, Australia.

Mr Ahier, a manager at insurance giant Aviva, saluted local people who helped them in their hour of need, but recalls their experience as harrowing.

'I found myself in tears when I realised how lucky we were, what could have happened and how sad it is for those less fortunate than us,' he said.


A team of Hampshire firefighters, part of the United Kingdom International Search and Rescue team, before they left for New Zealand to assist in the search for survivors. A 55-strong group landed at Christchurch Airport on Friday morning


As a British specialist rescue team who were involved in the rescue of Haiti earthquake victims yesterday arrived in New Zealand, Prime Minister John Key asked that the whole of the country observes two minutes' silence from 12.51pm on Tuesday - exactly one week after the quake.

Aftershock: New Zealand resident John Kirk inspects cracks in the green at Linwood bowling club, Christchurch, where many buildings have been devastated by the earthquake.


Mr Tobin, who attended Tadcaster Grammar School, had been on a round the world trip and was believed to have been working temporarily at a garage in Christchurch.

Some 228 people are still missing after the powerful quake and hopes of pulling anyone else out of the rubble alive have diminished.

The Foreign Office is working with the local authorities, police and hospitals to get more information about the large number of British people living in the area.


A rescue worker searches for signs of life in the rubble of CTV building yesterday


Relatives of people still missing three days after the devastating earthquake arrived today from several countries to join an anxious vigil for news that looked increasingly likely to be grim.

Students from Japan, China, the Philippines and other nations are believed to be among those inside the Canterbury Television building when it collapsed.

Many relatives of the missing arrived at Christchurch airport this morning, including about 20 from Japan, who were quickly whisked onto a bus by embassy officials.


Wrecked buses are seen in rubble on Colombo Street, the main street of Christchurch


Japanese rescue workers recover a victim from the rubble of the Canterbury Television building yesterday. Students from Japan, China, the Philippines and other nations are believed to be among those inside the office block when it collapsed


Japanese rescue workers head towards the rubble of the CTV building. Hundreds of rescuers from across the globe continue to scour Christchurch's shattered town centre district


A crane lifts workers up to inspect the damaged Christchurch Cathedral. Work teams today began gingerly picking through the piles of crumbled stone of the iconic structure, where it is believed up to 22 bodies may lay entombed


The Prince of Wales yesterday signed a book of condolence at New Zealand House in London expressing his sympathy for the nation.

He met High Commissioner Derek Leask, exchanging a traditional Maori nose-touching greeting called the Hongi, and spoke to staff during the short visit.

Charles's message read: 'With my deepest possible sympathy for the people of New Zealand at such a time of tragedy.'

The book is open for people to sign on weekdays between 9am and 6pm.


A helicopter lowers rescue service members onto the roof of the Price Waterhouse Coopers building in Christchurch today


A dedicated 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.


source: dailymail