New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has confirmed that two people have lost their lives during the earthquake that hit the country earlier today.
A massive seism, measuring up to 7.8 in magnitude, struck northeast of Christchurch this morning.
Two people are now confirmed dead after the event. The main quake was reportedly followed by over 40 aftershocks, causing widespread structural damage.
The quake sparked a tsunami, and large waves swept inland. However, no catastrophic damage has been reported.
The event has brought back painful memories for local residents, as the Christchurch area was left devastated after a 6.3 quake hit five years ago. 185 people died at that time.