I could not believe that this could happen again and in a much more tragic way: the death toll reached 155 people yesterday, with more than 200 missing - including 90 international students trapped in a language school, many of them known to Asian circles in Christchurch.

My apartment - indeed, my street and most of my immediate neighbourhood - were undamaged. We are in the western end of the city, the least-affected part of Christchurch.

But many other Hongkongers who live in Christchurch have had to make difficult decisions about whether to leave the city or not.

For many people, the feelings of their parents and families came first - they had no choice but to leave to spare them concern.

Kevin Kin Man Hui, who has lived in Christchurch for nine years, was evacuated from his apartment in the city centre on the day of the earthquake. He moved to a friend's flat, which had no water for three days.

'I can't risk my life and safety anymore. I have to go away, at least for now, to keep my family and friends from worrying about me,' he said.

Tony Gee Pang Chung, 22, had an interview at a company in the Pyne Gould Corporation Building on February 22, but he called the day before the quake and rescheduled it. The building collapsed in the 6.3-magnitude earthquake.

'It was definitely heartbreaking,' Chung said.

The University of Canterbury's Hong Kong Society, with 40 Hong Kong members, sent an e-mail the day after the quake about water, food, and accommodation. John Wing Pan Wong, 22, the president of the Society, has studied in Christchurch for five years.

'I realised it would be a great problem as soon as it shook,' he said. 'The last earthquake left thousands of people homeless and there were widespread problems with the water and power supply. But I didn't realise the situation would be that tragic.'

Cherry, 22, who didn't want her full name published, has lived in Christchurch for nine years.

She started working as a member of the ground crew at Christchurch airport eight months ago, and she described the situation there since the quake.

'It's been the busiest time I've experienced since I started working here. Many international students and people from overseas are leaving. It feels like everyone gets to leave but only I have to stay. But I told myself I have to stay strong and work.'

Yet safety is only one of our concerns. For many of us, Christchurch is a second home. Many believe that there is an obligation to stay, as part of the community.

Tony Ming Yin Chan, 19, who just started his commerce degree last month, was asked by his mother to stay away from Christchurch, but rejected the idea.

'I will be all alone if I leave the city. My friends are all here. I would feel like I was leaving them behind,' he said.

Hong Kong students have been among Christchurch's army of volunteer workers since the quake, cleaning up badly affected areas, helping at welfare centres and assisting the Red Cross and Salvation Army. Many students donated blood.

Patrick Pak Ho Yeung, 25, a recruitment manager at a tertiary institution in Christchurch, has lived in the city for 14 years and was at his school when the earthquake hit. The school is behind Christchurch Cathedral, which collapsed in the quake.

'It is so depressing to recall what happened,' Pak said. 'When we escaped from the school, we saw a lot of collapsed buildings. We knew there were trapped people under those buildings, but we just couldn't do anything.

'I have to stay, and offer as much help as I can, no matter how insignificant,' Yeung said. 'It's home here. Where else can I go?'

My friend from Wellington and my aunt from Melbourne both advised me to leave the weekend after the earthquake. But I decided to stay for a few days, to volunteer and have a close look at what's happening to Christchurch.

But I need to get away from all such tragic scenes for a while. I've done the best I can. I've donated money and helped with the clean-up. I'm leaving for Wellington this week. Just for a few days - I really don't want to leave Christchurch behind.