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New Zealand PM says two dead in quake, dispatching emergency aid

John Key said a military helicopter was being dispatched to the coastal tourist town of Kaikoura

Reuters November 13, 2016 Less than a minute read

City engineers inspect buildings in the central business district in Wellington on early November 14, 2016, following an earthquake centred some 90 kilometres (57 miles) north of New Zealand's South Island city of Christchurch. PHOTO: AFP

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said two people were killed in a powerful earthquake that the struck the Pacific nation early on Monday.

"We don't have any indications at the moment to believe it will rise, but we can't rule that out," Key told reporters in Wellington, adding that details of the casualties were still being confirmed.

Tsunami hits New Zealand after series of strong quakes

Key said a military helicopter was being dispatched to the coastal tourist town of Kaikoura, near the epicentre of the 7.8 magnitude quake, some 91 km (57 miles) north-northeast of Christchurch in the South Island.