New Zealand earthquake: Tour operators check on UK tourists in Christchurch

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Rescuers have been using their bare hands, dogs, and heavy machines in an urgent search for survivors still trapped in collapsed buildings, more than 24 hours after an earthquake devastated one of New Zealand's largest cities.The confirmed death toll from yesterday's magnitude-6.3 quake centred near Christchurch rose to 75, and officials said it was almost sure to climb further. Some 300 people were listed as missing.Prime minister John Key declared a national state of emergency as hundreds of soldiers, police and other emergency workers - including specialist teams from the US and other countries - rushed to Christchurch.

Devastation: There are fears that the quake has left up to 300 deadParts of the city of 350,000 people lay in ruins, and all corners of it were suffering cuts to water supplies, power and phones. The city was virtually shut down today, with officials urging residents to stay inside their homes.The quake measured 6.3 on the Richter Scale, causing far more destruction than the more powerful quake that struck before dawn on a weekend last September.
When the earthquake struck its epicentre, Lyttelton, at a depth of 5km, it knocked out the city's emergency 111 service and 80 per cent of the city's power.Long-haul specialist holiday company Page & Moy, which includes Christchurch in its New Zealand itineraries, was assessing future trips to the city.

A spokeswoman said: 'We don't have any people in Christchurch at the moment, but other tours were planned.'
Among airlines serving the UK affected by the Christchurch airport closure were Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines.
Britons travelling to New Zealand with Air New Zealand fly to Auckland and can then get a connecting flight to Christchurch. Singapore Airlines operates flights from London to Christchurch via Singapore.
Police announced a night-time curfew in the part! s of Chr istchurch that were devastated by the earthquake due to the danger from buildings weakened by yesterday's quake being toppled by aftershocks still rumbling through the city.Rescuers pulled a woman from the rubble of New Zealand's devastating earthquake more than 24 hours after she was trapped.Cheers broke out as office worker Ann Bodkin was pulled free from the pile of twisted metal and shattered concrete that had been the PGG building in the city of Christchurch.Mr Parker said Ms Bodkin was quickly reunited with her husband, who was anxiously watching the painstaking rescue.More than 400 rescue workers have joined the search, including teams from Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, the United States and Britain, but hopes for finding survivors alive are fading.
New Zealand's worst earthquake struck in 1931 at Hawke's Bay on the country's North Island, killing at least 256 people.