US President Barack Obama offered his condolences to families of the earthquake victims in New Zealand on Tuesday as US personnel were in route to provide assistance, dpa reported.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those whose lives have been touched by this tragedy, especially as they search for their loved ones and work to recover from this disaster," Obama said in a statement.
A magnitude 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit in Christchurch, leaving an estimated 65 people dead as efforts to find survivors trapped beneath rubble were underway.
The US Agency for International Development has dispatched a disaster search and rescue team to provide help, US State Department spokesman PJ Crowley said.
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