Some loss adjusters and insurance brokers working in Christchurch remain unaccounted for and one has been confirmed dead following yesterday’s devastating earthquake in the city.

The CEO of one major loss adjusting company told insuranceNEWS.com.au this morning that “some” of his firm’s employees are still listed as missing, and another loss adjusting company has confirmed that one of its employees has been killed.

The central Christchurch offices of Marsh were located in one of the buildings that collapsed, and a statement from the company on the fate of three employees listed as missing is expected later today following a briefing to staff in other offices.

It’s understood the other 27 Marsh employees working in Christchurch have been accounted for.

Information obtained by insuranceNEWS.com.au from the Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) and Insurance Brokers Association of New Zealand, as well as the other major international and local brokers and major insurers, indicate that all other employees working in the city are safe.

The centre of the city, which was severely affected by the quake, has been closed until next week.

ICNZ CEO Chris Ryan says most insurance companies with offices in Christchurch have relocated their emergency response facilities to Wellington or Auckland.

insuranceNEWS.com.au will pass on more information as it comes to hand.