Christchurch Earthquake: Death Toll Rises To 113

The number of bodies in the temporary morgue has risen to 113, police say, four days after Christchurch's devastating 6.3 earthquake.
 Finding survivors in collapsed buildings in the Christchurch earthquake are becoming less and less likely, Civil Defence Minister John Carter says.
The death toll stands at 103, with 228 people missing. Overnight five bodies were recovered from the CBD.
``The last live rescue we had reported was Wednesday (about 3pm). We are still hopeful of course that there still may be people rescued but it's getting and less likely,'' Mr Carter told reporters this morning.
So far 70 people have been rescued from buildings. There are 10 international search teams on the ground including one from China, and a team from the UK due to arrive about midday.
By that time 559 specialists would be involved in the search, Mr Carter said.
Teams were continuing grid searches of buildings in the CBD but were also checking places such as alleyway where workers would have been going back and forth to lunch.
Mr Carter said rescuers suspected that there may be people under the rubble.
Mr Carter, who visited Christchurch yesterday, said he was shaken by the extent of the damage.
``It's not until you are down in Christchurch that you actually have an appreciation of the devastation. It's seriously unbelievable.''
He said the rescue teams were doing ``an amazing outstanding job''.
``These people, a lot of them, have their own families and personal issues to deal with as well as helping people who need their assistance as well...we must commend them they are heroes.''
Other updated information included:
* 594 people had been seen at emergency departments with 164 admitted to hospital. The Australian field hospital would be operational by lunchtime.
* Overall about 2000 people had received medical treatment and 11 patients were in intensive care units.
* At 4am 452 people were in welfare centres -- less than before as more people leave the city.
* Calls to government helpline had reached 20,131.
* Five welfare centres were operating.
* 12 streets in suburban Redcliffs were evacuated.
* Toilets could now be flushed where water was on but residents were urged to check for damage first and conserve water.
* Mr Carter said there were sufficient essential supplies in the city and no need for panic buying.
 
Meanwhile the Privacy Commissioner has issued an emergency code for authorities dealing with personal information in the wake of Christchurch's devastating 6.3 magnitude quake.
``Although the Privacy Act already allows collection and disclosure of information in emergencies and for public safety, greater certainty will help everyone,'' commissioner Marie Shroff said.
The code, which will remain in force for at least three months, will allow emergency services and government agencies dealing with the aftermath of Tuesday's tremor to share personal information for the benefit of quake victims and their families.