An earthquake of magnitude 4.0 has struck Christchurch in New Zealand.
The quake hit at 1.22pm, 15kilometres east of the city centre, at a depth of 5kilometres.
Residents of the city reported feeling tremors in Linwood, Hornby, Port Hills and at Burwood Hospital.
‘Massive here in North beach. Gave me such a fright,’ said one local resident.
The earthquake is the largest to hit the area since November 17, when a 4.2 magnitude quake hit to the west of the city.
More to come
An earthquake of magnitude 4.0 has struck Christchurch in New Zealand (stock image)
The quake hit at 1.22pm, 15kilometres east of the city centre of Christchurch, and tremors were felt around the city
The city of Christchurch was severely damaged (pictured) by an earthquake in February 2011