Strong earthquake strikes New Zealand's South Island 13 Nov

  • US Geological Survey report magnitude-7.8 quake hit just after midnight today (11:02 GMT)
  • 95k (59 miles) from Christchurch
  • tsunami arrived in the north-eastern coast about two hours later
  • earthquake felt across large swathes of New Zealand, including Wellington
  • residents were warned to head inland or for higher ground along the coast

  • thousands flee homes

A gauge at Kaikoura, 181 km (112 miles) north of Christchurch, measured a wave of 2.5m (8ft 2ins), according to Weatherwatch.co.nz.

Smaller waves are said to be arriving in Wellington and other areas, the website said.

But the ministry of civil defence has said the highest waves, which could be as tall as 5m are expected between Malborough, the north-eastern tip of the South Island, and Banks Peninsula, just south of Christchurch.

Christchurch is still recovering from the 2011 earthquake that killed 185 people and destroyed the city centre.

Worrying news from New Zealand. Our thoughts and best wishes go to anyone affected.

More from the BBC here

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