Inquest into February quake postponed after new shakes

Tributes to dead or missing people placed at Cathedral Square after the February 22 earthquake. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A series of aftershocks in Christchurch today have prompted the adjournment of the inquest into the Canterbury Television building collapse which killed 106 people.

Waikato coroner Gordon Matenga was to have held the inquest over three days, but today's events so shocked participants that it was adjourned this evening.

A spokesman for Mr Matenga said the state of mind of participants was one contributing factor.

There were also concerns over the safety of the venue at Riccarton Racecourse, and today's shakes had imposed additional logistical problems, he said.

No date for a resumption had been decided upon.

- NZPA