PM calls special cabinet meeting, plans to fly to Christchurch

Prime Minister John Key will fly to Christchurch immediately after an emergency Cabinet meeting at 3pm, conditions permitting.

The Civil Defence bunker in the Beehive had been activated, but details of the damage in Christchurch remained extremely “sketchy” as communication with Christchurch Civil Defence was limited following the quake, he said.

Mr Key said fatalities could not yet be ruled out.

"Details are sketchy. But the worrying fear is that this earthquake has taken place at a time when Cantabrians were going about their business, a very populated time with people at work, children at school."

"Sadly I can not rule out whether there have been fatalities or not, but we are aware of significant damage to buildings that had people in them at the time. We’re also advising Cantabrians to exit the central city where large buildings are more prevalent."

Speaking to media, Civil Defence John Carter said reports of fatalities could "not be substantiated at this stage".

A hushed Parliament met for less than 20 minutes today to hear Prime Minister John Key and party leaders express their fears and concerns about the damage and casualties caused by the Canterbury earthquake just over an hour earlier.

"I am fearful that there have been fatalities but I can't confirm that," Mr Key said, speaking before reports of multiple fatalities had reached Wellington.

"We have only sketchy details, communications are difficult."Mr Key said the people of Canterbury were going through another traumatic and frightening experience, and Christchurch residents were evacuating the city centre.

Labour's deputy leader, Annette King, said Cantabrians were suffering another setback, and it seemed the devastation was even worse than that caused by the first earthquake.

"We hope and pray there haven't been fatalities," she said."It's going to need another big effort, and this House stands together.

"The Green Party's Kennedy Graham, a Christchurch MP, said he was going to the city as soon as he could to help with the relief effort.

"This will be the ultimate test for the people of Canterbury," he said."We shall be up to it. We shall summon all our resolve. Whatever lies ahead, we shall not be daunted."

Progressive Party leader Jim Anderton, MP for the Christchurch electorate of Wigram, said his wife had been in the city centre when the earthquake struck and he had not been able to contact her."

After more than 4000 aftershocks most of us thought the worst was over," he said.

"This could not have happened at a worse time."Mr Anderton said he had been speaking to his electorate secretary when the quake struck."I heard terror in her voice...she said buildings were falling down all around."