w Zealand reports that a large earthquake shook up the Christchurch g two buses crushed by the falling buildings

Authorities say buildings fell on two buses when an earthquake hit Christchurch New Zealand at lunchtime Tuesday.

Radio New Zealand reports that a large earthquake shook up the Christchurch, New Zealand area in the early afternoon Tuesday and police have reported multiple fatalities.

"Multiple fatalities have been reported at several locations, including two buses crushed by the falling buildings," said a police statement reported by the Sydney Morning Herald. Some people were trapped in buildings.

Two after shocks, one of 5.5 and one of 5.6, were reported by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Hundreds are believed injured. Some remain trapped in buildings or rubble.

All South Island hospitals except Invercargill have been emptied of non-urgent patients to make room for casualties

The fire chief was quoted by the Press of Christchurch as saying the best thing for people to do was get out of town.

But Mayor Bob Parker urged people not to drive because roads may not be safe. People thronged to the city center. People also were asked to stay off their mobile phones so authorities or injured people will be able to get through. A resident tweeted that anyone who has Internet working should disable their security code so others could use it. Some mobile phone towers were down.

Power was out in most of Christchurch, a city of more than 300,000. There were reports the landmark, century-old Anglican Cathedral had collapsed.

It does not appear to be as large as last year's quake, which registered 7.1 and caused billions of dollars in damage but much damage remains from the quake not quite six months ago. There were some injuries in the earlier quake but no deaths as a direct result of it.

The U.S. Earthquake Center in Golden, Colorado, reported the latest quake at 6.3.