A series of aftershocks have rattled Christchurch in New Zealand, cutting electricity supplies, damaging buildings and forcing evacuations.
Although there were no reported injuries, parts of the city were cordoned off as a precaution following one of the most damaging series of quakes since a 7.0 shake in early September caused widespread destruction.
The most powerful of the aftershocks was magnitude 4.9 on the Richter scale and 12km deep.
Christchurch city policy commander Derek Erasmus said there had been some damage to buildings in the inner city.
About 40,000 houses had their electricity supplies cut for about an hour following the main shake.
Hundreds of shoppers taking advantage of the St Stephen's day sales were temporarily evacuated from one of the city's largest shopping centres where there was 'superficial' damage.
