New Zealand marks 10th anniversary of Christchurch quake

New Zealand lowered its flags on Monday and made special note of those who couldn't travel to be there as it marked the tenth anniversary of the Christchurch earthquake that killed 185 people.

Hundreds of people attended an outdoor service in Christchurch, which continues to rebuild from the magnitude 6.3 quake that destroyed much of the downtown.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it was important to remember that 87 of the victims were foreign nationals and many of their families couldn't be there because of coronavirus travel restrictions.

"Our flags fly at half-mast for them today too," she said.

Ardern said the quake affected people in many ways, and daily reminders including aftershocks and the fractured landscape made it harder.

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel made note of the 28 Japanese nationals who died, the largest number of victims from any country outside of New Zealand.

A moment of silence was observed at 12:51pm (23:51 GMT), when the quake struck a decade ago, during the memorial service on the banks of the Avon River.

Emergency services workers and others took turns reading out the names of each of the victims.

(Image creditL: AP)