Slash - Stars 'Sending Prayers' To Christchurch Earthquake Victims

At least 65 lives were claimed in the powerful tremor, which wrecked several buildings in the city and prompted officials to declare a state of emergency in the area.

As news of the disaster broke around the world, stars took to their Twitter.com pages to express their shock at the earthquake.

In a post, Madden writes, "Sending prayers out to everyone in ChristChurch. Beautiful place and great people. Thoughts & prayers with you guys in NZ. God bless!", while Josh Groban adds, "Sending my love to my friends in New Zealand... quite the frightening quake they've experienced."

Justin Bieber declares, "My prayers go out tonight to the people of New Zealand. God bless" and Slash adds, "Our thoughts & prayers go out to everybody in Christchurch."

Australia natives Dannii Minogue and Miranda Kerr were also stunned to hear about the disaster. The model posted on her Twitter page: "I was just talking to dad and he told me about the earthquake in NZ. Please keep everyone in NZ in your thoughts and prayers", while Minogue tells her online followers, "Pictures of the earthquake damage (are) devastating. My thoughts are with everyone there today."

Actress Denise Richards displayed a message on Twitter declaring, "Praying for all the people in Christchurch, NZ during this difficult time... sending lots of love and prayers" and British funnyman Stephen Fry 'tweeted' a link to the Red Cross, so followers can donate to relief efforts.