New Zealand pays homage to the Christchurch earthquake victims – from Germany and the world
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern laying a wreath on the tenth anniversary of the earthquake. Photo: Martin Hunter / AAP / dpa (Martin Hunter / DPA)
New Zealand remembered the victims of the severe Christchurch earthquake ten years ago on Monday. A flag was placed on Parliament and other public buildings in the middle of the mast. The names of the victims were recited at the ceremony and a minute of silence.
The earthquake struck the largest city in the South Island, in the Pacific state, on February 22, 2011. 185 people were killed. The magnitude of the earthquake was 6.2.
A member of New Zealand rescue workers in the destroyed business district of Christchurch in March 2011. Photo: Mark Baker / AP POOL / dpa (Mark Baker / DPA)
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern particularly remembered the 87 foreign victims on Monday, whose relatives may not be able to attend the celebration due to travel restrictions with Corona. “Our flags are flying half-mast for them, too,” she said.
Meanwhile, she recalled the dire consequences of the earthquake and said that ten years later, many people are still living their daily lives on that day. Even if the past decade has been difficult for Christchurch, there is “hope, energy, and optimism” for the next decade.
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