Safety fears over five Irish citizens after quake

THERE are “serious” concerns over the safety of five Irish citizens who are still missing after the worst natural disaster to hit New Zealand in living memory.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that of the near-200 Irish people believed to have been in Christchurch when the 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck, there are general concerns for about 70.

Five more Irish citizens are missing, with officials saying there are “serious” concerns they may have lost their lives in New Zealand’s worst natural disaster in living memory which has left at least 75 people dead and scores missing or trapped under rumble.

One Tipperary couple, Pierce and Maureen Purcell from Clonmel, were in Christchurch visiting their daughter when the earthquake hit. Speaking on RTÉ Radio, Mr Purcell said he was in his daughter’s house when the house started shaking.

Mrs Purcell said she had been about to enter a visitor’s centre in Christchurch when everyone was “thrown to the ground”.

Amid the devastation Donegal hurler Patrick McGowan pulled free a young woman buried beneath a pile of rubble.

The 26-year-old also put his shoulder beneath a steel bar to free a trapped man, who despite the Irishman’s bravery still passed away.

Fears over the safety of Irish citizens in New Zealand came as Ireland’s Taoiseach, Brian Cowen sent two aircraft to evacuate approximately 40 Irish people still in Libya, which is in the grip of growing political turmoil.

An Irish Air Corps Learjet departed Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel at 8.40pm last night.

This was followed by an Air Corps CASA aircraft which left at 10pm.

Both aircraft will fly to Valletta, the capital of Malta, from where they will remain on stand by to fly to Tripoli in Libya to conduct the evacuation operation should it be required.

* The Department of Foreign Affairs crisis centre can be contacted at 01- 4180222.

Authorities in New Zealand have also set up an international help line, which can be contacted on 006478502199.