New Zealand earthquake: UK tourists tell of devastation

• Passers-by survey damage caused by the Christchurch earthquake.

Barnaby Luck, from Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, Wales, was in a hostel when the disaster hit at 12.51pm local time.

"I was in my dorm room sorting some of my stuff out and knew what it was straight away, as we have had a few aftershocks in recent weeks," he said.

"Everything started shaking and it became more and more violent - it was like someone had got hold of the building and was shaking it and swinging it back and forwards - so I just jumped under my bunk bed."

The 29-year-old, who has been travelling in New Zealand since last November, added: "Once it stopped I was really shaken up and went outside. A tree had fallen in a communal area where a lot of backpackers had been sitting a few minutes before which was scary, but I only realised the magnitude of it when I looked up the street.

"The gable side of a building 100 yards away was completely levelled to the ground and as I made my way into the centre of the town there was just total devastation. One four-storey building was completely razed to the ground and windows and parts of other buildings were damaged.

Geri Nolan, the owner of Around the World Backpackers hostel, where Mr Luck was staying, said she had feared all her 37 guests were dead when the quake struck.

"I was down the road getting lunch when it happened and immediately thought that my hostel had collapsed. Luckily it was OK but the city is ruined. It has been horrible."

Tim Ireland was visiting Christchurch for a tennis competition at the time the quake struck.

He said: "The ground started to shake very aggressively, cracks appeared and the main tennis centre building, which has got eight or nine courts, just started to shake like a paper building, it was pretty scary stuff."

He said there were two large aftershocks following the quake and many smaller tremors.

The city was in disarray, with telephone lines down, water pipes burst and the electricity supply sporadic.

He added: "I've never experienced anything like this in my life before. There has been lots of aftershocks, lots of tremors, we are just hoping the main one has happened and has gone."

Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "I was shocked and saddened to hear of the devastating earthquake that struck Christchurch earlier today, killing so many people.

"The ties that bind the UK with New Zealand are very close and my thoughts are with the friends and families of all those who have lost their lives and been affected by the earthquake.

"Many people in the UK with links to New Zealand will be watching anxiously as the situation develops.

"Our High Commissioner in New Zealand is on her way to Christchurch and we stand ready to provide any assistance that we can to the authorities and to any British nationals who have been caught up in the earthquake."

• British Nationals affected by the quake are asked to contact the Global Response Centre on 0044 20 7008 1500.

• Do you know anyone caught up by events in Christchurch? Click here to get in touch with The Scotsman

• Dozens killed as earthquake hits Christchurch

• Christchurch earthquake: In pictures