New Zealand quake smashes buildings and cars, killing 65

Rescue efforts and aftershocks continue through the night amid reports that the toll could go much higher. Two buses are reported crushed as buildings in Christchurch topple.

The earthquake's epicenter was reportedly 3 miles below ground about 12 miles southeast of Christchurch, a gateway city to New Zealand's South Island. The Sept. 4 quake had a 7.1 magnitude but its epicenter was deeper and it struck much farther from Christchurch, officials said. There have been thousands of aftershocks in the area following the September quake.

Stuart said unconfirmed reports put the death toll at more than 90, with estimates that it could reach as many as 1,000.

"The people of Christchurch were just believing they may be over the worst when the quake struck today," said Stuart.

"There were screams from trapped people and others digging with their hands to free trapped people," Stuart said. "I talked by phone with one woman who pulled her bed mattress on top of her. There are lots of old stone buildings in Christchurch and lots of those collapsed."