Grief had been transparent among residents of Christchurch as they have gathered to hold church services Sunday offering their sincere prayers for the earthquake victims in New Zealand.
Along with the hugs were tears depicting that people have been emotionally affected when the m(–foul word(s) removed–)ive earthquake of 6.3 magnitude hit their country last Tuesday.
Death toll increased to 146 while more than 200 missing individuals are reportedly under search operations especially in the worst damaged parts of the city.
Recovered bodies could hardly be identified. According to Dave cliff, a district commander, A DNA testing would be used to be able to identify the bodies taken from the Canterbury Television (CTV) building in downtown Christchurch. The said establishment was found to be engulfed by the flames when it collapsed due to a strong seismic jolt.
Cliff said to the reporters that the intense fire at the CTV site presents real difficulties.
The earthquake aftermath caused office blocks to look like pancakes as the said calamity toppled shop frontages, destroyed roads and breaking huge fissures in the ground. Almost one third of the ground seemingly experienced a demolition.
Police superintendent Russell Gibson relates that rescuers have known where the bodies are to be found but they find it difficult to reach some of them.
Pain has caused the New Zealanders to be in great depression. People listened to Rev. Philip Robinson when he tried to rally at the damaged St. Barnabas Anglican church. Some gathered outside the ruins of some church buildings while various similar sceneries were to be found from various small groups.
People were to be found to carry camp stools while others brought with them their blankets to sit upon since other church services were held outdoors. Some even had their dogs with them while others, despite their disability, carried their wheelchairs to mourn for those who have been lost.
Churches of the said city were among those of the buildings that received the hardest impact. Ruins were left somehow that is why most church services were only held outdoors.
Even the city’s most treasured Christchurch Cathedral was ruined after it had experienced the strong seismic jolt.
Buildings were collapsed, many lives were taken and searching for the missing bodies is still on the process. Despite such unwanted impact, the people of New Zealand became one in heart as they come to unite in prayers through this difficult time.