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22 February 2011
Last updated at 05:07 ET
Britons caught up in the Christchurch earthquake have spoken of the chaos and devastation in New Zealand's second largest city.
At least 65 people have died after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck 10km (6 miles) outside the city during lunchtime on Tuesday.
One British backpacker said it "looked like a bomb had hit it".
The Foreign Office said it was "urgently" seeking information about British casualties.
Christchurch was still trying to recover from a 7.1-magnitude quake in September, which left two people seriously injured but no fatalities. It caused an estimated $3bn (£1.9bn) in damage.
The previous quake happened in the middle of the night and its epicentre was further away and deeper underground.
'Just shocking' Barnaby Luck, from Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, was in a hostel when the disaster hit at 1251 local time (2351 GMT on Monday).
The 29-year-old, who has been travelling in New Zealand since November, said: "Everything started shaking and it became more and more violent. It was like someone had got hold of the building and was shaking it and swinging it back and forwards, so I just jumped under my bunk bed.
"Once it stopped I was really shaken up and went outside. I only realised the magnitude of it when I looked up the street.
"The gable side of a building 100 yards away was completely levelled to the ground and as I made my way into the centre of the town, there was just total devastation."
Christopher Ratcliffe, 27, from Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, was forced to shelter under a desk in a library.
"I have experienced a few aftershocks before this but this was totally different," he said.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
"When I came outside the city looked like a bomb had hit it. There was dust and smoke in the air and bits of glass and rubble falling from the tops of buildings. People were walking around covered in blood and in tears - it was just shocking."
Mr Ratcliffe, who has been in Christchurch for a month as part of a round-the-world trip, added that nearly every road had been damaged and helicopters were airlifting casualties from some parts of the city to emergency treatment centres.
Alison Stokes, originally from Birmingham, was at home with her child and father when the earthquake struck.
"The house was picked up like something from The Wizard of Oz and shaken for what seemed like a minute. It was absolutely terrifying. There were glasses flying off the shelves," she said.
"I couldn't get in contact with my husband for three hours. It was horrible because I was seeing on the news that there had been fatalities. Fortunately, everyone in my family is fine."
A state of emergency has been declared in the city with reports of people being trapped in buildings. The authorities are warning the death toll is likely to rise. The airport is closed and Christchurch Hospital, the largest in the South Island, has been evacuated.
Defence Secretary Liam Fox said the UK would offer the country any help needed.
Continue reading the main story British nationals helplines
Britons in New Zealand can telephone the High Commission on 04 924 2898 for assistance.
Or they can call the Global Response Centre in the UK on 0044 207 008 1500.
He told the BBC: "I'm due to speak to my counterpart in New Zealand and any help the UK can give, we will do that.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Christchurch today."
Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "Many people in the UK with links to New Zealand will be watching anxiously as the situation develops.
"Our High Commissioner in New Zealand is on her way to Christchurch and we stand ready to provide any assistance that we can to the authorities and to any British nationals who have been caught up in the earthquake."
British High Commissioner to New Zealand Vicki Treadell said she was shocked and saddened by the disaster.
The High Commission, based in Wellington on the North Island, has sent consular staff to Christchurch.
Britons in New Zealand can telephone the High Commission on 04 924 2898 for assistance, or the Global Response Centre in the UK on 0044 207 008 1500.
Christchurch is home to about 350,000 people, and is considered a tourist centre and gateway to the South Island.
New Zealand sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a vast area of seismic activity, and records more than 14,000 earthquakes a year, although only about 150 are felt by residents.
Are you in New Zealand? Have you been affected by the earthquake? Get in touch with us.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions
At least 65 people have died after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck 10km (6 miles) outside the city during lunchtime on Tuesday.
One British backpacker said it "looked like a bomb had hit it".
The Foreign Office said it was "urgently" seeking information about British casualties.
Christchurch was still trying to recover from a 7.1-magnitude quake in September, which left two people seriously injured but no fatalities. It caused an estimated $3bn (£1.9bn) in damage.
The previous quake happened in the middle of the night and its epicentre was further away and deeper underground.
'Just shocking' Barnaby Luck, from Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, was in a hostel when the disaster hit at 1251 local time (2351 GMT on Monday).
The 29-year-old, who has been travelling in New Zealand since November, said: "Everything started shaking and it became more and more violent. It was like someone had got hold of the building and was shaking it and swinging it back and forwards, so I just jumped under my bunk bed.
"Once it stopped I was really shaken up and went outside. I only realised the magnitude of it when I looked up the street.
"The gable side of a building 100 yards away was completely levelled to the ground and as I made my way into the centre of the town, there was just total devastation."
Christopher Ratcliffe, 27, from Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, was forced to shelter under a desk in a library.
"I have experienced a few aftershocks before this but this was totally different," he said.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
The house was picked up like something from The Wizard of Oz and shaken for what seemed like a minute.”
End Quote
Alison Stokes
British expat in Christchurch
"When I came outside the city looked like a bomb had hit it. There was dust and smoke in the air and bits of glass and rubble falling from the tops of buildings. People were walking around covered in blood and in tears - it was just shocking."
Mr Ratcliffe, who has been in Christchurch for a month as part of a round-the-world trip, added that nearly every road had been damaged and helicopters were airlifting casualties from some parts of the city to emergency treatment centres.
Alison Stokes, originally from Birmingham, was at home with her child and father when the earthquake struck.
"The house was picked up like something from The Wizard of Oz and shaken for what seemed like a minute. It was absolutely terrifying. There were glasses flying off the shelves," she said.
"I couldn't get in contact with my husband for three hours. It was horrible because I was seeing on the news that there had been fatalities. Fortunately, everyone in my family is fine."
A state of emergency has been declared in the city with reports of people being trapped in buildings. The authorities are warning the death toll is likely to rise. The airport is closed and Christchurch Hospital, the largest in the South Island, has been evacuated.
Defence Secretary Liam Fox said the UK would offer the country any help needed.
Continue reading the main story British nationals helplines
Britons in New Zealand can telephone the High Commission on 04 924 2898 for assistance.
Or they can call the Global Response Centre in the UK on 0044 207 008 1500.
He told the BBC: "I'm due to speak to my counterpart in New Zealand and any help the UK can give, we will do that.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Christchurch today."
Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "Many people in the UK with links to New Zealand will be watching anxiously as the situation develops.
"Our High Commissioner in New Zealand is on her way to Christchurch and we stand ready to provide any assistance that we can to the authorities and to any British nationals who have been caught up in the earthquake."
British High Commissioner to New Zealand Vicki Treadell said she was shocked and saddened by the disaster.
The High Commission, based in Wellington on the North Island, has sent consular staff to Christchurch.
Britons in New Zealand can telephone the High Commission on 04 924 2898 for assistance, or the Global Response Centre in the UK on 0044 207 008 1500.
Christchurch is home to about 350,000 people, and is considered a tourist centre and gateway to the South Island.
New Zealand sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a vast area of seismic activity, and records more than 14,000 earthquakes a year, although only about 150 are felt by residents.
Are you in New Zealand? Have you been affected by the earthquake? Get in touch with us.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions