Powerful earthquake shakes New Zealand, two killed
By Charlotte Greenfield and Greg Stutchbury WELLINGTON (Reuters) - A powerful earthquake rocked New Zealand on Monday killing at least two people, damaging roads and buildings, and prompting a tsunami warning that sent thousands fleeing to higher ground. Emergency response teams were flying by helicopter to the region at the epicenter of the 7.8 magnitude quake, some 91 km (57 miles) northeast of Christchurch in the South Island, amid reports of injuries and collapsed buildings. Powerlines and telecommunications were down, and daylight revealed sizeable cracks in roads and damage to infrastructure.