Quake rumour rattles Gisborne residents [View All]

Gisborne residents have again been rattled after an American psychic's prediction that the Big One is coming caused some people to flee town.


The woman's premonition - believed to have started with a prediction of a magnitude 8 earthquake to strike at 8pm last Wednesday - has morphed into a potent rumour that has the whole city talking.

Gisborne District Council civil defence officer Richard Steele condemned the rumour as "irresponsible", saying concerned residents had clogged council and police phone lines with inquiries.

"No one can predict earthquakes - not psychics, not even scientists."

Mr Steele said he could not understand why someone would play on people's fears, especially as many were still coping from the after-effects of the December 20 magnitude 6.8 quake.
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