New Zealand Earthquake

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – A influential earthquake hit New Zealand's already-bruised city of Christchurch on Tuesday, collapsing buildings, burying vehicles under debris and sending savior scrambling to help trapped people amid reports of multiple deaths.

The 6.3-magnitude quake struck on a busy weekday afternoon, in difference to a major quake that damaged the city last September but caused no deaths when it struck before dawn on a weekend. Police said there were reports of multiple wounded from the latest temblor, while Prime Minister John Key told Parliament details of the deaths still were too trembling to confirm.

Witnesses said the quake shattered the iconic stone Christchurch Cathedral, its spire toppled into a central city square, and police said there was a report of two buses compressed under falling buildings.