The southern New Zealand city of Christchurch has been shaken by a strong earthquake weeks after a more powerful tremor caused extensive damage.
The 5.0 magnitude tremor cut power and telephone services, and some residents fled into the streets, reports said.
The earthquake hit at about 1130 (2230 GMT Monday).
Christchurch is still recovering from the damage caused by a 7.1 quake on 4 September.
The quake on Tuesday struck around 10km (six miles) southwest of the city and its epicentre was 9km (five miles) below the ground, the country’s geological agency GNS Science said.
The city has been shaken by many aftershocks since the earthquake six weeks ago destroyed buildings and roads.
Some of Christchurch’s most historic buildings were damaged beyond repair on 4 September, but there were no fatalities.
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