Christchurch earthquake: Filipino nurses 'praying to God for miracle'

A rescue worker at the CTV building in Christchurch on the day of the 6.3 magnitude earthquake. Photo / Simon Baker

A desperate plea for rescue by six Filipino nurses trapped inside the CTV building have emerged following fears up to 120 people are still entombed in one of the focal points of Christchurch's deadly earthquake.

About 30 minutes after the quake created havoc in the central city on Tuesday, Rhea Mae Sumalpong from Cebu province sent a text to her mother Marlene in Australia begging her for assistance.

"Ma, we're trapped at CTV building. We need help, please rescue us," Ms Sumalpong said in a text reproduced by the Inquirer Visayas newspaper.

Ms Sumalpong, 25, and five other Filipinos were studying at Kings Education on the third floor of the CTV buildings, in preparation for their New Zealand Nursing Board exams on March 13.

The other five Filipinos were identified as Emmanuel Anoba, John Kristoffer Chua, Ezra Mae Medalle, Jessie Lloyd Redoble and Jewel Francisco Uy.

Ms Sumalpong's aunt Dr Ethel Uy told the newspaper she had made several attempts to reach her niece by phone but was unsuccessful.

A text message sent by one of colleagues said Ms Sumalpong was trapped, her legs "are totally numb, she couldn't feel any pain."

Dr Uy said the family was concerned about reports that hopes were fading for people still inside the crumpled structure.

"We're hoping for the best for Rhea and the rest of the group," she said.

"We are praying to God for miracle. Our wish is to have our niece body back, but of course nothing is impossible with a miracle," Dr Uy said.

- NZPA