Dual quakes rock Christchurch, New Zealand
Two quakes rock New Zealand
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- NEW: Two quakes hit New Zealand within 90 minutes of each other
- "It was quite an exciting ride," a police official says of the first quake
- A 6.3-magnitude temblor struck the same area in February, killing more than 180 people
(CNN) -- A pair of earthquakes struck within 90 minutes of each other near Christchurch, New Zealand, on Monday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported, reviving vivid memories of a deadly quake that killed more than 180 people in February.
"It was quite an exciting ride," Christchurch Police Acting Inspector Murray Hurst told CNN after the first quake, adding that there was some damage caused by the quake and a few injuries that were not life-threatening.
Police evacuated sections of the city's central business district after reports of a possible gas leak, police said. Several bridges in the city was closed as a precaution.
The first quake -- a magnitude 5.2 -- was centered 9 kilometers (5 miles) east-southeast of Christchurch at a depth of 11 kilometers (6.8 miles), according to USGS.
The second quake -- a more powerful 6.0 -- hit about 13 kilometers (8 miles) north-northeast of the city at a depth of 9 kilometers (5.6 miles).
The quakes came nearly four months after a 6.3-magnitude temblor struck the same area.
CNN's Jack Maddox contributed to this report.
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Freelance CTV presenter and Newstalk ZB radio host Mike Yardley gives a first-hand account of the Christchurch earthquake.
"I was finding it hard to breathe, and I really thought that was it for me," said earthquake survivor Anne Vos.
Check out CNN's high resolution image gallery of scenes from Tuesday's earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Christchurch resident Rhys Taylor explains how people affected by the quake are aiding each other.
In New Zealand? Then send your iReport photos, videos. Don't do anything that could put your life at risk.
CNN's Anna Coren says quake rescue efforts in New Zealand are turning into body recovery missions.
Many of Christchurch's buildings were badly damaged in the deadly earthquake in New Zealand on Tuesday. TVNZ reports.
Scientists in New Zealand said there had been less than a one in twenty chance of Tuesday's earthquake being so destructive.
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