Shocked Black Caps send messages of support via Twitter to Christchurch victims
By ANIWednesday, February 23, 2011
MELBOURNE - New Zealand cricketers, who are in India for the 2011 World Cup, have reacted in horror to the bad news that at least 65 people had died in the Christchurch earthquake.
The 6.3 magnitude quake hit New Zealand’s second largest city and the death toll was likely to rise in a region still recovering from a 7.0 quake in September 2010.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has declared a national emergency as 75 bodies were recovered. About 300 people were still missing in New Zealand’s worst natural disaster in 80 years.
“Thoughts go out to the people of Chch today. Terrible thing to have happened again,” opener Martin Guptill wrote on Twitter.
“The team woken early in India to news of another Christchurch earthquake. Thoughts are with everyone and hoping all are OK,” New Zealand Cricket said on their Twitter account.
International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat said that an appropriate gesture of respect will be made when New Zealand face Australia in their next game in Nagpur on Friday.
“At times like this, sport can only offer its support and its deepest sympathy to those who have lost loved ones during such a tragedy,” said Lorgat.
Veteran player Scott Styris also expressed his concerns, FOX Sports reports.
“Watching CNN. Amazing scenes. Some worried boys here in India. Be safe,” he wrote on Twitter.
Among the New Zealand World Cup squad, fast bowler Hamish Bennett plays for the Canterbury team in the devastated area while coach John Wright was born in the region.
New Zealand is slated to play their second World Cup game against Australia in Nagpur on Friday. (ANI)
