The death in last week`s earthquake in New Zealand may rise to 240 from the current 154, Radio New Zealand said on Tuesday citing Police Superintendent Dave Cliff.

Only eight victims have been formally identified so far.

The shallow quake with an epicenter at the depth of just 5 km (3.1 miles) struck New Zealand`s second largest city of Christchurch. The downtown area of Christchurch city has been "utterly destroyed," with many collapsed buildings deemed "unsurvivable."

Rescue and recovery crews pulled 70 survivors from the rubble in the first days after the incident.

Two minutes of silence were observed at 12:51pm local time on Tuesday, exactly the time when the disaster stroke a week ago.

New Zealand`s worst earthquake, which killed 256 people in Napier, took place on February 3, 1931.
sections: Accidents, World News