A round-up of the current situation in Christchurch as rescuers continue scouring the shattered city for survivors.

It is 12.51 pm when the earthquake strikes. I have just finished my coffee, am halfway through a toasted sandwich and my girlfriend has just asked me how my day has been.

Specialised search teams tunnel through the darkness to find survivors of the quake.

Damaged Cathedral becomes a rallying point for the people of a hurt and devastated city.

Rapper was meant to be with cousin, who was crushed in quake. But decided not to.

A British backpacker wrote forebodingly of his earthquake fears a few hours before he was killed.

Experts believe a good number of families will depart the damaged city - and maybe the country - for good.

He became an overnight celebrity when TV crews captured him tossing aside concrete slabs like Lego to rescue strangers.

When the tower of Christchurch Cathedral fell in Tuesday's massive earthquake, the people of Canterbury lost one of the enduring symbols of our province.

Jo Nicholls-Parker has taken her role as mayoress seriously in the wake of the earthquake

CTV survivor Mary-Ann Jackson tells of terror and heartbreak at loss of loved colleagues.

John Key has met people "full of fear" over the fate of missing family members after Tuesday's Christchurch quake.

Free massages, hotel chocolate, coffee and music were all part of the mix on the sports field at Lyttelton Primary School, an area which is affectionately known as "the grassy" by residents in the port town.

The official death toll for the Christchurch earthquake has risen to 145 this evening and is expected to increase. Police are gravely concerned for more than 200 missing people.

More than 600 patients have been admitted to Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department since the earthquake, including 164 with serious injuries.

Christchurch couple Hamish and Jess McBrearty have welcomed baby Joseph -almost two weeks overdue - into the world.