DHAKA: Paramedics are responding to a number of calls from people who fell as a magnitude 5.7 earthquake hit near Christchurch of New Zealand.

The quake struck shortly after 1pm on Sunday (11am AEDT) and was initially reported as 5.9 magnitude by GeoNet.

Pictures have emerged of a cliff face crumbing into the sea at Sumner Beach, reports the skynews.com.au

The Press building on Gloucester St was evacuated, after items fell over and computer monitors smashed. Two people died in the former Press building in the 2011 quake in the city.

This quake was centred 15km east of Christchurch and was 31km deep - with people as far north as Palmerston North and as far south as Dunedin reporting they felt it.

The unwelcome quake comes just a week out from the fifth anniversary of the 6.3 magnitude February 22, 2011 quake that killed 185 people.

St John ambulance said while they had so far not received reports of serious injuries or damage, a number of people had fallen in the quake.

The Fire Service were responding to one call, but were not aware at this point if it was serious.

The city is still experiencing aftershocks, with a 3.5 magnitude quake and a 3.0 quake recorded a short time ago.

People trying to contact loved ones have been becoming concerned as phone systems have been overloaded.

'Grabbed the TV to stop it falling, books off, car alarms set off by it in the neighbourhood,' Belinda McCammon tweeted.

Other people reported roof tiles falling off a building and goods fallen from shelves.

'Suddenly the air all full of sirens and birds,' another person tweeted.

GeoNet rates the quake as severe.

BDST: 0826 HRS, Feb 14, 2016
RS