A Galway man caught up in the New Zealand earthquake which devastated the city of Christchurch and surrounding areas has spoken of the shock and sheer bewilderment still felt by tourists and by residents, many of whom have lost their homes and livelihoods.
At 4.35am on September 4 (last Friday afternoon Irish time ) an earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter Scale hit the city of Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains, causing widespread structural damage to new and old buildings, some of which are of historical significance, but thankfully no fatalities. Since the big quake there have been up to 300 aftershocks, the most recent occurring yesterday, September 8, reaching a 5.1 magnitude and resulting in power cuts, further damage to buildings, and terrifying residents all over again. A state of emergency has been extended for a further week as more aftershocks are expected in the next few days.
Describing his experiences, 24-year-old Ben O’Gorman from Salthill in Galway told the Advertiser that he had been in bed for just two hours after finishing work when the 7.1 earthquake hit and less than 30 minutes later the house he shared with flatmates was reduced to rubble. “It was mental. The house started shaking and my flatmate came in and said to get out now. We went outside and could hear the chimneys and slates falling off the roofs. You could actually see our house moving from side to side and cracks appearing. When the quake stopped my flatmate ran in to get some clothes but a neighbour, who is familiar with the buildings in the area, warned us not to go back in.”
“We went into the town square and there were all these tourists standing around in their pyjamas. The area is surrounded by hostels. They were completely bewildered and in shock. The army came in the following day and the police put up barricades on the main roads in the city because there are a lot of old buildings which posed a danger.”
As tremors and aftershocks continue to threaten Christchurch and the surrounding areas, tourists who have lost their accommodation and jobs have had to be put up in alternative hostels or stay with friends as they determine their next step. For long-term residents the situation is even more dire as many have seen their homes fall to pieces and their livelihoods severely hampered or destroyed completely.
Ben, son of Ronnie O’Gorman (Galway Advertiser ) and Regina Cunnane (Design HOuse Barna ), is one of the tourists who has had to stay in alternative hostel accommodation or with friends in the past few days. He explained how aftershocks are still being felt, resulting in a state of emergency being extended and a curfew of 7pm to 7am being put in place, but that is not the only effect the quakes and following tremors have had.
“The atmosphere has been weird. People are just walking around in shock, not knowing what to do. Loads of people lost their livelihoods as many shops and restaurants are now rubble. There are lots of buildings that were not up to code, because they were heritage buildings. These are the old buildings that defined Christchurch,” said Ben.
According to reports, almost two thirds of Christchurch’s 160,000 homes were damaged. Some of the city’s most historic buildings have been damaged beyond repair and many are to be pulled down. The earthquake is said to be largest to hit the country since 1931, with early estimates indicating total damage costs could reach NZ$4 billion. The New Zealand Earthquake Commission, a government operated relief fund, has around NZ$5.6 billion, which is backed up by reinsurance from overseas groups and a government guarantee
