Up to 300 people are feared dead after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch in New Zealand.

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The country’s prime minister John Key confirmed that 65 people had been confirmed to be dead but expects the toll to rise saying: “We may be witnessing New Zealand’s darkest day.”

The tremor struck at 1251 (2351 GMT), only 10km (6.2 miles) south-east of the city and at a depth of 5km (3.1 miles), causing widespread damage.

Mr Key said the emergency services were working as fast as they could to find people trapped under the rubble.

The damage is said to be far worse than after the 7.1-magnitude quake on 4 September, which left two people seriously injured but no fatalities.

Its epicentre was further away from the city and deeper underground, but still caused an estimated $3bn (£1.9bn) in damage.

TV pictures of the aftermath of Tuesday’s earthquake showed scores of collapsed buildings in Christchurch, on South Island.

People could be seen wandering the rubble-filled streets in distress.