6.5 Quake Strikes North New Zealand

AUCKLAND, New Zealand —  A strong earthquake damaged buildings and roads today on the North Island of New Zealand, injuring several people and trapping others in buildings and cars.

The earthquake, which struck at 2:15 p.m., measured 6.5 on the Richter scale, Radio New Zealand said. The quake, with an epicenter 30 miles offshore, was felt in Auckland, Tauranga, Rotorua and communities around the Bay of Plenty, officials said.

Civil Defense officials declared a state of emergency in Whakatane, which was rocked by severe shocks for more than an hour. Hospitals in Whakatane and Kawerau were evacuated.

Telephone and power lines were down throughout the area. Several people were reported injured and more were trapped in buildings and cars, the radio said.