A powerful aftershock shook New Zealand's South Island Monday, just hours after being hit by a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake.

John Kirby, a spokesman for U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the top American diplomat offered New Zealand "whatever U.S. assistance might be required."

New Zealand officials have confirmed two people died after the powerful earthquake hit 90 kilometers from Christchurch, the biggest city on New Zealand's South Island. The quake caused damage to buildings more than 200 kilometers away in the capital, Wellington.

Thousands of residents in the coastal area of New Zealand fled their homes for higher ground after tsunami warning sirens were activated in South Island coastal towns.

Some waves were up to two meters and officials described the tsunami as an "event of life-threatening or national significance."

A 6.3 quake in Christchurch in 2011 killed 185 people and caused widespread damage.

新西兰南岛发生7.8级地震后，星期一又发生强烈余震。

美国国务院发言人科比说，国务卿克里向新西兰承诺尽一切力量提供帮助。

新西兰官员证实，这次地震发生在南岛最大城市基督城以外90公里处，造成两人丧生。就连200公里外的首都惠灵顿都有房屋建筑被震坏。

地震后南岛城镇发出海啸警告，数以千计的居民逃到地势较高的地方避难。

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