An Irishman and a Briton have died in an earthquake in one of New Zealand's largest cities. Ireland's department of foreign affairs said both men had been living in Christchurch.
The department added that it had strong concerns about two other Irish citizens, believed to have been in the area when the quake struck.
At least 75 people in total have lost their lives in the disaster in the town of Christchurch.
Emergency teams have been using their bare hands, dogs, and heavy machines to aid the rescue effort, and search for around 300 people reportedly missing.
Ireland's department of foreign affairs said both men had been living in Christchurch.
The department added that it had strong concerns about two other Irish citizens, believed to have been in the area when the quake struck.
Police say teams were removed from the six-storey collapsed Canterbury TVAnd officials warned the death toll following the 6.3 magnitude-quake is almost certain to rise.Describing the disaster as possibly the country's "darkest day", prime minister John Key declared a national state of emergency.He promised both the city and the lives of those affected would be rebuilt, adding: "We are a resilient nation, we will not bow down to this challenge." building as they were "100% certain" those trapped inside are dead.
Christchurch mayor Bob Parker confirmed 120 people were rescued from wrecked buildings as teams worked through the night, while more bodies were also recovered.
Hundreds of soldiers, police and other rescue workers are being joined by specialist teams from across the world.
A British aid team was due to leave Gatwick to fly to New Zealand's South Island and join the rescue mission, which has been put at risk by a series of smaller aftershocks.
The Foreign Office is "urgently" seeking information about any UK casualties, but it is not yet known if any Britons are among the dead.
A spokesman said: "We are in close touch with the local authorities and are urgently seeking information.
"The High Commission in Wellington have mobilised a consular response and stand ready to provide any consular assistance that is required."
Google has set up a website to help distribute information about missing victims.
Parts of the city of 350,000 people lay in ruins and all corners of it were suffering cuts to water supplies, power and phones. Residents are being urged to stay inside their homes.
The immediate focus is on around a dozen buildings downtown where rescuers believe finding survivors is still a possibility.
The quake struck just before 1pm local time on Tuesday, when the city was thronging with workers, tourists, and shoppers.
Some survivors of the quake emerged without a scratch, while others had to have a limb amputated before they could be freed.
Police superintendent Russell Gibson said: "There are bodies littering the streets, they are trapped in cars, crushed under rubble and where they are clearly deceased our focus ... has turned to the living."
Hundreds of soldiers, police and other rescue workers are being joined by specialist teams from across the world.
A British aid team was due to leave Gatwick to fly to New Zealand's South Island and join the rescue mission, which has been put at risk by a series of smaller aftershocks.
The Foreign Office is "urgently" seeking information about any UK casualties, but it is not yet known if any Britons are among the dead.
A spokesman said: "We are in close touch with the local authorities and are urgently seeking information.
"The High Commission in Wellington have mobilised a consular response and stand ready to provide any consular assistance that is required."
Google has set up a website to help distribute information about missing victims.
Parts of the city of 350,000 people lay in ruins and all corners of it were suffering cuts to water supplies, power and phones. Residents are being urged to stay inside their homes.
The immediate focus is on around a dozen buildings downtown where rescuers believe finding survivors is still a possibility.
The quake struck just before 1pm local time on Tuesday, when the city was thronging with workers, tourists, and shoppers.
Some survivors of the quake emerged without a scratch, while others had to have a limb amputated before they could be freed.
Police superintendent Russell Gibson said: "There are bodies littering the streets, they are trapped in cars, crushed under rubble and where they are clearly deceased our focus ... has turned to the living."