Christchurch Cathedral

The Dean of Christchurch Cathedral says the partial destruction of the iconic building in today's massive earthquake is unimportant in light of the great human cost the disaster will incur.

The Anglican cathedral in the heart of the city was largely destroyed in the 6.3 shake, the spire reduced to rubble and the roof caved in.

Dean Peter Beck said there were visitors inside the building when the earthquake hit, and it could not be confirmed whether anyone was still trapped beneath the rubble.