One official report was that this shake was from another fault, not the one before, although both are very near Christchurch. The city centre contains many buildings from the victorian era, many of which are severely damaged. Even some structures that were built quite recently are destroyed. There is one building on fire, they are unsure if it is entirely evacuated.
The city is gridlocked. All city ambulances are in use, but more are needed and are coming from all over. Police cars are being used as makeshift ambulances. The military are on the job.
The main hospital is fully operational, hospitals around the country are sending non-essential-surgery patients home so that they can take the overflow, even as far away as Auckland.
At least 17 people are known to be dead, according to the news. One building alone has about 30 people trapped, under their desks.
Help has been offered, from America, and I'm sure also from Australia.