The death toll in New Zealand has climbed past 100 with rescuers saying chances are fading that any more survivors will be found from this week's 6.3 magnitude earthquake.
Authorities said Friday that 113 people are dead and more than 200 still missing in Christchurch, the hardest-hit city. No one has been pulled out of the rubble alive since Wednesday.
But rescuers are still using dogs and sensitive listening equipment to poke through the remains of collapsed buildings, looking for miracles. Emergency crews from Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States are helping.
Prime Minister John Key says these are very dark days for New Zealand. He has declared a national state of emergency and says the final death toll will be higher than anyone would have imagined.
Video clip: New Zealand earthquake
Mr. Key spoke as aftershocks continued to rattle Christchurch, causing more panic. Seismologists have counted more than 70 aftershocks since the quake struck Tuesday afternoon and say they will continue for weeks.
Tuesday's earthquake was the second to rock Christchurch in five months. Because of its shallow depth and proximity to the city, Tuesday's quake it was far deadlier than September's 7.1 magnitude quake.
