Demolition begins today on a building in Christchurch CBD which is leaning over, after last night’s jolt.

The Strategy Building on Montreal Street was severely damaged in the February quake. The 5.3 magnitude aftershock has made it tilt over further.

Civil Defence national controller John Hamilton says it’s been assessed and needs to come down immediately. He says work starts today and will take a number of days before the building has been brought down completely.

Mr Hamilton says The Hotel Grand Chancellor, which was already on a lean, seems not to have moved any further. Other buildings have also sustained more damage, and there are also burst pipes, rock falls, and fresh liquefaction.

All of the Christchurch CBD is currently closed for assessment.

Engineers at Lyttelton Port are checking for fresh damage today. All container terminal & coal operations are on standby, until their assessments are complete.

– NewstalkZB