Officials say 'horrendous' injuries are making victim identification difficult, as the massive rescue effort continues.

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

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

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.

His legs were amputated in the dark with a fold-out knife and a hacksaw - but Brian Coker is smiling.

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

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.

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.

Owen Wright survived the earthquake to help others. He was killed as he returned to his family.

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

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