Wellington, New Zealand - New Zealand's leader says the earthquake that hit the city of Christchurch last week could cost the country around $15-billion.
Prime Minister John Key on Monday announced a package of short term measures worth 120 million New Zealand dollars ($90 million) to help pay salaries for about 50 000 people in the stricken city who are unable to work because of the quake.
Key said the full cost of the quake to the economy “is in the order of NZ$20 billion ($15 billion).”
Analysts had earlier put the cost at up to $12 billion.
The magnitude 6.3 temblor that struck the city last Tuesday destroyed or damaged up to one third of the buildings in the city. At least 148 people were killed, and officials expect the toll to rise. - Sapa-AP