Public photos wanted for collapsed Christchurch buildings inquiry

Photo / NZ Herald

People with photos, videos and first-hand information about several buildings that suffered severe damage in the Christchurch earthquake are being asked to volunteer them for an investigation into the buildings' performance.

The information is to go towards a technical investigation by the Department of Building and Housing into the performance of key buildings during the quake and why some of them collapsed during last month's quake.

The investigation will cover the Canterbury TV and Pyne Gould Corporation buildings, the Forsyth Barr building and the Hotel Grand Chancellor, which were among the worst affected and claimed a large number of lives.

People who had photographs, video recordings and first-hand accounts of the state, or performance of, the buildings prior, during and after the February 22 earthquake were asked to get in touch with the department, Minister for Building and Construction Maurice Williamson said today.

The investigation would proceed as quickly as possible, he said.

"However, it is an important task and it is vital to get it right.

"Detailed engineering analysis of the performance of the buildings and the factors that contributed to the collapse of the Pyne Gould Corporation and CTV buildings - as well as the damage to the others - is likely to take several months."

- NZPA