The beginning of the year 2011 has been marked by numerous natural catastrophes. After Jeddah and Australia, it's time for New Zealand to suffer on February 22, 2011 an important catastrophe.
A major earthquake with a magnitude of 6.3 struck Christchurch, the second largest city, causing the death of 145 people and the disappearance of more than 200 others. This is the deadliest earthquake in nearly a century. According to an estimate of the modeling company AIR Worldwide, insurers could face losses ranging between 5 and 11.5 billion NZD (3.7 and 8.5 billion USD). This bill includes damages to commercial buildings, dwellings and their contents, and the costs resulting from the business interruption.
Christchurch, located on the border of Australia-Pacific tectonic plates, records 15 000 tremors a year.
