New Zealand’s Christchurch Rattled by 5.7 Magnitude Earthquake

A magnitude 5.7 earthquake has hit the city of Christchurch in New Zealand on Sunday, followed by aftershocks in a region still recovering from a deadly February 2011 temblor.

The quake was centered 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) east of the city, according to the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management. A 3.5 magnitude tremor shook the city about five minutes after the initial quake, followed by several 2.6- to 3.6-magnitude aftershocks. The ministry said there was no tsunami threat.

People were evacuated from buildings and shopping malls in the center of the city and in surrounding suburbs, the New Zealand Herald reported, citing residents. The newspaper said power had been lost to more than 500 homes, citing local reports.

Jenny Krex, the manager of a coffee shop in the seaside suburb of Sumner, told the New Zealand Herald that items broke in her shop.

“Everyone got a big fright, we had everyone running out,” she said.

“I made sure everyone was OK, it was quite a big shock. It’s crazy out here at the moment.”

Christchurch is still rebuilding its city center after a February 2011 earthquake killed 185 people and destroyed its central business district.