Death toll in Christchurch, New Zealand quake climbs to 75; Scores more missing

The enormity of the death and destruction from Tuesday's magnitude 6.3 earthquake that struck Christchurch, New Zealand continues to be realized.  Thousands of homes are uninhabitable, scores of businesses destroyed, 75 people dead and an untold number of people missing.

Aftershocks continue to rumble through Christchurch adding anxiety to residents' already rattled nerves and hampering relief efforts.  Since the initial quake, the US Geological Survey says a dozen magnitude 4.0 or greater quakes have occurred and many smaller ones as well. 

Officials put the current death toll at 75 although it fluctuates slightly depending on the source.  All expect the toll to climb as emergency crews continue to sort through the rubble of destroyed homes and buildings. 

In pictures: Search and rescue efforts continue in earthquake stricken New Zealand

Don't miss: Christchurch, New Zealand earthquake - Resources for news and information

Raw Video: Immediate aftermath of the earthquake

Three hundred people have been reported missing but officials say that does not mean those people are necessarily dead or buried in the rubble.  With many communications lines down and those that are working being overstressed, it is hoped that many of the missing simply have not had an opportunity to communicate their status. 

Prime Minister John Key himself said, "I myself have got one or two people I think might be missing and I personally would like to know the status of them."

An urgency continues to underlie the search and rescue efforts as crews know as time goes by the likelihood of someone surviving in amongst the rubble decreases.  "The longer someone has been missing and expected home, the more likely they have been caught up in the disaster - but it doesn't mean they are dead," Key said.

Police are expected to begin releasing the names of the missing, many who are already known to be foreigners who were visiting the country.  Among the known to be missing are nine Filipinos, six Thai nursing students and 10 Japanese, all who are thought to have been in the CTV Building which collapsed in the quake. 

Recovery efforts continue to ramp up with the New Zealand military and civilian agencies deploying as many as possible.  International aid has arrived including a team from the United States.  Officials said that they expect more than 1,000 rescuers to be on hand by this weekend. 

President Barack Obama sent the United States' condolences saying, "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those whose lives have been touched by this tragedy, especially as they search for their loved ones and work to recover from this disaster."

The quake will possibly go down as the most expensive in terms of insured losses in New Zealand History.  JP Morgan has placed a damage estimate of $16 billion NZD ($11 billion USD).  

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