New Zealand Evacuates Kaikoura following Strong Earthquake

New Zealand rescue workers are evacuating scores of tourists and residents from the town hardest hit by a series of powerful earthquakes.

    Four air force helicopters are now airlifting people out of Kaikoura on the South Island after battling strong winds and heavy rain earlier, according to the (BBC).

    The town, northeast of Christchurch, has been cut off by quake-triggered landslides. Hundreds of aftershocks continue to rock the area.  Two people were killed in the 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck the South Island early on Monday. 

    The capital Wellington on the North Island continues to see severe weather on Tuesday with heavy rain and flooding. Air Commodore Darryn Webb, the acting commander of New Zealand joint forces, told TVNZ that they are airlifting approximately 200 people out of Kaikoura on Tuesday. 

    There are an estimated 1,200 tourists at the popular whale-watching spot, which has a population of about 2,000. Two ships and other aircraft are assisting with the evacuations, said the New Zealand Defence Force. 

    Prime Minister John Key said the top priority was to provide desperately-needed supplies to Kaikoura.

Source: QNA