New Zealand authorities said today they were investigating reports that buildings damaged by an earthquake in Christchurch last year were allowed to remain in use, compromising their ability to withstand last week's tremor that killed at least 148 people.
Questions over the buildings came as the first funeral of a victim, a five month infant boy, took place. Only eight bodies have been released because of the need to accurately identify the dead.
Police and rescue officials were in tears at the funeral of Baxtor Gowland in Christchurch, as the boy's family thanked the community for rallying around in support.
"We have come with very heavy hearts today to remember with love and say goodbye to baby Baxtor . . . a treasured baby son," the boy's great-aunt said, the New Zealand Herald reported.
Prime Minister John Key said the overall cost of the February 22nd and the September 4th quakes combined would be about $20 billion New Zealand dollars (€10.9 billion), with the second, more destructive, earthquake costing about three-quarters of the total.
Japanese media have pressed the mayor of Christchurch on the safety inspection and standards after last September's quake at the Canterbury Television Building, which housed a language school and was where nearly half the confirmed dead were killed.
"We want to give you all of the information that we have about those buildings," mayor Bob Parker told reporters today during one of his twice-daily briefings.
"Had I received any information about the integrity of those buildings being in any way compromised as a result of the events of September 4 last year? No."
The bodies of dozens of students from Japan, China, the Philippines and Taiwan are still in the ruins of the six-storey building, whose floors pancaked on top of each other in last Tuesday's 6.3 magnitude quake.
Mr Parker said building owners were responsible for ensuring adequate inspection and repair of buildings damaged by last year's 7.1 tremor.
The condition of the CTV building had been raised by a student from India, who spoke to Reuters while awaiting news of a friend trapped inside.
"How was this allowed to happen? When they inspected the building after the last earthquake, why didn't they realise?" asked the student named Jeewan.
Police have said the death toll may rise to more than 200, with about 50 people still unaccounted for.
Reuters