New Zealand ruled out any chance of finding more earthquake survivors today, saying the operation was now in the recovery stage.

GRIEVING New Zealanders mourned Christchurch earthquake victims yesterday as police said the disaster’s final death toll was set to exceed 200.

RESCUERS were searching for any signs of life today after an earthquake devastated one of New Zealand’s largest cities as Prime Minister John Key declared it a national disaster and analysts estimated its cost at up to 12 billion Australian dollars (€8.7bn).

Rescuers used their bare hands, dogs, and heavy machines in an urgent search for survivors still trapped in collapsed buildings more than 24 hours after an earthquake devastated one of New Zealand's largest cities.

NO one knows how many people are trapped in the rubble left by a powerful earthquake that struck one of New Zealand’s largest cities, but rescuers know they are there.