Rugby World Cup officials say it's too early to judge what effect an earthquake in Christchurch that killed at least 65 people will have on this year's tournament.
The magnitude 6.3 quake struck at lunchtime Tuesday, causing havoc in the South Island city that is to be one of the World Cup's key venues.
No reports have been received of damage to the city's main stadium, but hotels have been damaged and city infrastructure shattered. The city center is in ruins and roads have been destroyed.
Canterbury Rugby Union chief executive Hamish Riach told Television New Zealand that "Right now it doesn't feel like we could host very much at all."
But Riach said it was too early to be sure because "everyone is in the immediacy of this traumatic event."
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has described Christchurch as a "scene of utter devastation" and warned that the death toll could rise on what he fears may well be "New Zealand's darkest day." Apart from the dead, officials say at least 100 more people are missing.
Tournament spokesman Mike Jaspers said organizers had contingency plans but could not say when or if they would be implemented. The event runs from Sept. 9 to Oct. 23.
"At this moment it is too early to talk about any implications for the tournament," Jaspers said. "Right now all that has got to take a back seat while Christchurch deals with the aftermath of this tragedy. ... Any assessment must wait while rescue and recovery efforts take priority."
The International Rugby Board said Tuesday its "thoughts and deepest sympathies" were with the people of Christchurch. It added it would be "inappropriate" to comment on the status of infrastructure or operation, and the "focus at this point must be on the emergency response."
The magnitude 6.3 quake struck at lunchtime Tuesday, causing havoc in the South Island city that is to be one of the World Cup's key venues.
No reports have been received of damage to the city's main stadium, but hotels have been damaged and city infrastructure shattered. The city center is in ruins and roads have been destroyed.
Canterbury Rugby Union chief executive Hamish Riach told Television New Zealand that "Right now it doesn't feel like we could host very much at all."
But Riach said it was too early to be sure because "everyone is in the immediacy of this traumatic event."
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has described Christchurch as a "scene of utter devastation" and warned that the death toll could rise on what he fears may well be "New Zealand's darkest day." Apart from the dead, officials say at least 100 more people are missing.
Tournament spokesman Mike Jaspers said organizers had contingency plans but could not say when or if they would be implemented. The event runs from Sept. 9 to Oct. 23.
"At this moment it is too early to talk about any implications for the tournament," Jaspers said. "Right now all that has got to take a back seat while Christchurch deals with the aftermath of this tragedy. ... Any assessment must wait while rescue and recovery efforts take priority."
The International Rugby Board said Tuesday its "thoughts and deepest sympathies" were with the people of Christchurch. It added it would be "inappropriate" to comment on the status of infrastructure or operation, and the "focus at this point must be on the emergency response."
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