Sales shoppers hit as New Zealand suffers aftershocks

MASONRY and glass rained down near post-Christmas shoppers as a magnitude 4.9 earthquake rocked Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island yesterday.

No one was injured, but at least 20 buildings in the city centre were damaged by the temblor, which scientists said was the latest of hundreds of aftershocks since a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch on September 4. That quake caused extensive damage and a handful of injuries, but no deaths.

Yesterday’s activity came a few hours after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck under the sea near Vanuatu. There were no reports of damage or injuries from that quake, though it generated a small tsunami wave.