A powerful earthquake in the southern New Zealand city of Christchurch has killed at least 65 people, and left about 200 others trapped in damaged buildings.
The country's prime minister, John Key, revealed the death toll during a statement on the plight of the city of 350,000 people - and warned it may rise.
He told TV1 News: "It is a just a scene of utter devastation. This may be New Zealand's darkest day."
Google has set up a website to help distribute information about missing victims.
Buildings have collapsed and vehicles are buried beneath debris, with rescue workers scrambling to help those trapped under rubble left by the 6.3 magnitude quake.
The fire service said the proximity of the quake to the city's centre meant it had caused more damage than the 7.1 magnitude tremor in Christchurch last September.
"The shake has been a lot worse, maybe not in intensity but as far as damage is concerned, and there are numerous people trapped," a spokesman said.
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