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Washington (AFP) Feb 22, 2011 US lawmakers on the largest congressional trip to New Zealand left the country's second largest city just hours before a powerful, deadly earthquake struck, the delegation's leader said Tuesday. Representative Don Manzullo, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, said the delegation departed Christchurch at 10:30 a.m. for Wellington, and the temblor hit the city at 12:51 p.m. "The thoughts and prayers of our delegation, and the American people we represent, are with the people of Christchurch, the Canterbury region and all of New Zealand on the occasion of this devastating tragedy," said Manzullo. New Zealand authorities warned the preliminary death toll of 65 was set to rise significantly as police reported that rescuers had to amputate limbs to free survivors from collapsed buildings after the 6.3-magnitude quake. "Having received the warm reception of the people of Christchurch at the Partnership Forum only hours before the earthquake struck makes this disaster all the more personal and poignant," said the Republican lawmaker. "Your American friends extend profound condolences and sympathy to the victims of this tragedy and to their families and friends," Manzullo said in a statement. The lawmaker and his seven colleagues were in Christchurch to discuss a regional trade pact and were expected to leave New Zealand for Australia on Tuesday to continue those talks there.
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