Tsunami struck New Zealand after the earthquake

A strong earthquake of 7.8 Richter occurred in northeastern Christchurch - New Zealand and caused a 2m high tsunami.

The New Zealand government dawn on November 14 (local time) announcing a tsunami warning and urging people in coastal areas to evacuate to higher areas.

Broken glass doors in Wellington.(Photo: Nick Kingstone).

According to the US Seismic Survey (USGS), the earthquake is centered on the town of Amberley, where about 2,000 people live, about 46km and about 10,000 km from Kaiapoi, the town. The initial seismic strength of 7.4 richter, then recalculated as 7.8 richter, has a 5km deep epicenter.

People run out of houses in Wellington capital.(Photo: EPA).

The earthquake took place about 86km from Christchurch City. This is the place once affected by the magnitude 6.3 earthquake in 2011, causing at least 185 deaths and hundreds of injuries.

New Zealand's Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency Handling (MCDEM) issued a tsunami warning on the East Coast of the South and North Islands. Not long after that, Burwood Regional Commissioner Glenn Livingstone shared on Twitter a 2-meter tsunami hitting Kaikoura town.

MCDEM also warns that the first wave may not be the biggest. According to the agency, the risk of tsunamis could continue in the next few hours with waves of 3-5m high.

The house was damaged in the earthquake.(Photo: Twitter)

Furniture falls to the floor.(Photo: Instagram)

Many shelves fall apart.(Photo: Twitter)

Meanwhile, Anna Kaiser seismologist said that tidal signals and waves up to 1m are recorded in the North Canterbury area of ​​the South Island. At least 3 strong aftershocks of 6.2, 5.7 and 5.8 magnitude occurred in the South Island after the magnitude 7.8 earthquake. Aftershocks are expected to continue.

Meanwhile, some houses in Cheviot town were badly damaged by the impact of the earthquake. Some other areas have lost power due to power lines failure. At least 185 people were killed and many were injured.

Acting Civil Defense Minister Gerry Brownlee said there were some reports of casualties in Kaikoura but it was unclear. According to local newspapers, a resident of North Christchurch died from a heart attack that the ambulance could not reach in the middle of a road blockage.

A collapsed drawbridge in Wellington port.(Photo: Twitter)

A house was badly damaged.(Photo: @dickbicknell)

Cracks in the road in Cheviot town.(Photo: Twitter).