An apartment building is likely to be pulled down after being badly damaged by Monday's earthquake in New Zealand.
Power was cut, roads closed, buildings damaged and shelves and other appliances upended by the earthquake, although it appears nobody was seriously injured.
The damaged Masterton building was determined unsafe to live in and evacuated on Monday, and civil defence controller Kevin Tunnell says the building's owner has decided to pull it down.
"The building is designated as dangerous and it is believed that wouldn't change without major work to it," he told Radio New Zealand.
Residents are likely to be given supervised access to remove their contents, and the council will provide accommodation to those who need it until Friday, Mr Tunnell said.
More than 650 claims have been made to the Earthquake Commission (EQC) since the magnitude 6.2 earthquake centred near the town of Eketahuna struck on Monday afternoon.
As aftershocks continued on Tuesday, residents and authorities were checking out the level of damage.
Tararua Mayor Roly Ellis, whose area includes Eketahuna, says damage has mostly been minor, though property damage was more significant in some homes.
Meanwhile, Wellington Airport has reinforced the cables supporting the remaining flying eagle inside its terminal after the nearly one-tonne sculpture fell from the roof.
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