The Christchurch Hospital Social Work Service response in the first hours after the Christchurch earthquake of 22nd February 2011

Abstract

At 12.51pm on February 22nd 2011 a powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit the city of Christchurch. Over 180 people were killed and hundreds more were injured. Christchurch was still in the process of recovering from a 7.1 magnitude pre-dawn earthquake which had struck on Saturday 4th September 2010. In the first earthquake there was significant damage to buildings and the city’s infrastructure, but fortunately no loss of life. In contrast the earthquake of the 22nd February, although lower in magnitude, was shallower, centred closer to the city and struck at lunchtime on a working day, with devastating effect.