Nelson, where Tongan fruit picker Heneli Tupou is hospitalised in a serious condition, was hit by a 6.2 magnitude earthquake this afternoon.
Tupou, of Tatakamotonga, was in New Zealand on the Regional Seasonal Employment programme.
Kaniva News understands that specialists were expected to confirm their diagnosis today (November 14).
As we reported yesterday, his wife ‘Asinate has been sending him messages of encouragement via Facebook.
The Nelson Mail quoted Nelson Marlborough Health acting chief executive Peter Bramley as saying hospital facilities across Nelson and Blenheim were still open.
Bramley said staff had worked through the night to ensure all patients were safe.
Radio New Zealand quoted the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board saying that inspections had shown that hospitals in Nelson and Wairau were safe and services running normally,
The 6.2 earthquake struck 30km north of Cheviot at a depth of 50km, at 1.34pm.
The Mail quoted one residents as saying the quake “seemed to go on forever.”
The Nelson City Council lists the chimney stack, boiler house and coal bunker at Nelson Hospital as earthquake prone.
The main points
- Nelson, where Tongan fruit picker Heneli Tupou is hospitalised in a serious condition, was hit by a 6.2 magnitude earthquake this afternoon.
- Kaniva News understands that specialists were expected to confirm their diagnosis today (November 14).
- As we reported yesterday, his wife ‘Asinate has been sending him messages of encouragement via Facebook.
- Nelson Marlborough District Health Board says hospitals in Nelson and Wairau are safe and operating normally.
For more information
‘Severe’ 6.2 magnitude aftershock hits Nelson as region counts cost of quake
List of Earthquake Prone Buildings
Earthquake: What you need to know (RNZ)
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/318005/earthquake-what-you-need-to-know
