Better news. The radio news announced that searchers have cleared the cathedral and there are no bodies there. It was feared that there were up to 20 tourists, but it seems that nearly all got out.
Also, I have finally got in touch with John, my pal, and he and his are unhurt, escaping with a few cracks in the house, although he had a worrying time driving home after the initial shock, diverting for impassable obstacles. It was two days before they learned how severely ChCh was hit.