Karli Edmondson
Posted: Wednesday, September 8, 2010 10:17 am

A strong 5.1 magnitude aftershock hit the earthquake-stricken city of Christchurch, which was suffered nearly 300 aftershocks in the space of five days.

The quake, six miles south-east of the city, was felt by residents as the strongest aftershock in Christchurch since Saturday's 7.1 magnitude earthquake wrecked hundreds of buildings. No new injuries have been reported.

Prime Minister John key originally estimated the damage at 2 billion New Zealand dollars, but has since said that this will likely double. At least 500 buildings have been destroyed and some 100,000 of the area's 160,000 houses damaged.