New Zealand earthquake death toll rises to 163

March 4th, 2011 - 6:04 pm ICT by ANI  

Christchurch, Mar 4 (ANI): The death toll in New Zealand’s devastating earthquake has reached 163, and is expected to rise further.

According to Stuff.co.nz, over hundred people are still missing and 163 are dead in the earthquake that struck Christchurch, New Zealand’s second largest city.

The 6.3-magnitude earthquake, which struck the city on February 22, is New Zealand’s deadliest natural disaster in 80 years.

New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence national controller John Hamilton had on Thursday announced that they had given up hope of finding any more survivors.

“We now face the reality that there is no chance that anyone could have survived for this long,” Hamilton had said.

The last person to be pulled alive from the rubble was found over a week ago, one day after the earthquake struck.

Christchurch Police estimate that the final toll could be as high as 240.

Nationals from over 20 countries are among those missing. (ANI)

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