Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. New Zealand City Hit by 6.3 Earthquake VOA News February 21, 2011 People walk past rubble as they help the injured evacuate after an earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand Photo: Reuters TV / Reuters People walk past rubble as they help the injured evacuate after an earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, in this February 22, 2011 image taken from video footage. A major earthquake has struck the New Zealand city of Christchurch causing extensive damage and reports of multiple fatalities Officials say a 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit early afternoon Tuesday. Police report multiple fatalities and many damaged buildings in the city.  Power and telephone lines are cut in some places.  Radio New Zealand reports that thousands of people have fled buildings and gathered in the streets of Christchurch. A church near the radio station collapsed and a bridge has been damaged. The U.S. Geological Survey said the temblor was centered about 5 kilometers from the city at a depth of 4 kilometers. Christchurch, New Zealand's second largest city, was hit by a 7.1- magnitude earthquake last September and a series of aftershock has rattled the city ever since.  Mayor Bob Parker told Radio New Zealand that Tuesday's tremblor felt like a whole new earthquake had struck, and not an aftershock. The mayor advised people not to drive. Australia's Sidney Morning Herald newspaper reported that the city's hospital had to be evacuated and that the jolt was felt in the capital Wellington to the north, and Dunedin in the south. Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters. .