WELLINGTON, December 20 (RIA Novosti) - A powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale hit the east coast of New Zealand late on Thursday, causing structural damage but no deaths.
The tremor struck near Gisborne, in the North Island, at 8.55 p.m. local time (7.55 a.m. GMT), causing considerable damage to the city. Local officials said at least 20 people were treated for minor injuries, but no one was seriously hurt.
Three buildings completely collapsed, while other buildings and shops in Gisborne were extensively damaged. Power supplies were disrupted in some areas, and a huge hole was left in one of the city's main roads.
The quake was the most powerful to strike New Zealand in the latest 20 years. In 1987 the Edgecumbe earthquake measured 6.3 on the Richter scale. In 1968 an earthquake measuring 7.1
killed three people on the South Island's west coast.
