Christchurch City in New Zealand was devastated by another earthquake with a 6.3 magnitude that sent residents into panic as aftershocks were strong.

Barely rebuilding the city since the September temblor, residents and workers were once again sent to the streets during lunch break as shattered glass, bricks, and concrete went flying. Some fatalities were noted but the rescue effort continues, the New Zealand Police said in a statement on its website

Compiled reports indicated the five kilometre-deep quake, which struck at 12:51 p.m. local time, brought down parts of buildings in the centre of New Zealand's second-largest city, including the cathedral. Two buses were crushed by falling buildings, police said. People are trapped under rubble and some buildings are on fire.

The quake is the largest since September when the city was rocked by the country's worst temblor in 80 years. The quake was centered 10 kilometers south-east of Christchurch, according to geonet.org.nz.

Related reports by Reuters and Bloomberg News said Prime Minister John Key called an emergency Cabinet meeting and will travel to Christchurch today, he told the nation's parliament.

The city's airport has been closed with all flights cancelled or diverted, according to its website.

The September quake according to the Reserve Bank f New Zealand caused some NZ$5 billion ($3.78 billion) in damages to property.