Strong earthquake hits New Zealand city of Christchurch

CHRISTCHURCH - 13 June 2011: A 5.2-magnitude earthquake hit New Zealand's quake-hit city of Christchurch on Monday, prompting the evacuation of a building holding an inquest into February's deadly tremor.

The USGS measured the quake, which hit just 10 kilometres from Christchurch, at 5.2-magnitude and a depth of 11 kilometres.

Police said they had received some reports of damage in the city, including flooding, but they were not aware of any injuries.

The Christchurch Press reported a building had collapsed, with some people believed to be trapped inside.

Much of central Christchurch remains closed off since February's 6.3-magnitude quake which levelled buildings, killing 181 people in the country's deadliest earthquake for 80 years.

An inquest into the collapse of one of these buildings, which began Monday, was briefly evacuated following the latest tremor, an AFP correspondent said.

source: AFP