STRONG QUAKE ROCKS NEW ZEALAND, TRIGGERS TSUNAMI|紐西蘭南島規模7.8強震 引發海嘯2死

A powerful earthquake and hundreds of strong aftershocks rocked New Zealand on November 14, killing at least two people and prompting a tsunami warning that sent thousands fleeing to higher ground. Power outages and downed phone lines were reported and many roads were blocked by landslides in many areas .The earthquake is the third over 7 magnitude since 2009 to shake the South Island. Building alarms rang as crowds of residents tried to warm themselves up in the cold on the streets of Wellington. On November 14, a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck central New Zealand just after midnight, triggering a tsunami, and causing widespread damage. At least two people were killed in the first tremor and a series of aftershocks that were felt throughout most of the Pacific island nation. ==MICHAEL MORGAN, evacuating local resident== It was horrible. It started off with just a little bit of a roll and then it just must have lasted about 40, 45 seconds, and then there was a jolt, wasn't there? ==PHIL COLES, English tourist == It kept going for quite a while. The quake was quite slow to start off with, then built up to quite a high one, which I believe was about 6.5. Thousands fled their homes to evacuate and seek higher ground after New Zealand's Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency Management issued a tsunami warning for the entire east coast of the country. Power outages and downed phone lines were reported and roads were blocked by landslips in many areas of the country. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said the worst damage appeared to be in the Kaikoura area and military helicopters have been dispatched to aid in assessing damage to work out the next steps. ==JOHN KEY, New Zealand Prime Minister== In terms of getting a better assessment of what happens next, we have military helicopters that are available to us, an NH90 is going to be going down to Kaikoura very rapidly. There's another one that will be in Wellington. St John's have been flying people in. The earthquake was centered 91 km (57 miles) north-northeast of Christchurch, the biggest city on New Zealand's South Island. The city was hit by a 6.3-magintiude earthquake that caused 185 deaths in Feb. 2011. TRANSLATED BY：ARIEL HSIEH