The death toll from the Christchurch earthquake in New Zealand has risen to 98 and there are grave fears for a further 226 still missing. Police have begun releasing the names of victims, while prime minister John Key has said there are fears that the toll could be higher. As aftershocks continue to rock the city, the prime minister who declared a state of national emergency yesterday, conceded it would take a miracle to find more survivors. No-one has been rescued from the rubble since yesterday afternoon and there is no new information regarding any survivors from Tuesday's 6.3-magnitude quake. Local and international rescue teams are working to find survivors, using cameras, sniffer dogs and acoustic equipment to detect movement or sound. Police district commander Dave Cliff said authorities have contacted families who have reported loved ones missing, but he warned the process of identifying and releasing bodies will take some time. So far 164 people have been admitted to hospitals with injuries caused by falling rocks, bricks and debris. Yesterday, 300 Australian police were sent to Christchurch as well as a 75-bed field hospital with six surgical, medical and support staff. Meanwhile, the US President Barack Obama on Thursday offered all help in rescue and relief operations as he called Prime Minister John Key to offer condolences over the devastating earthquake that struck Christchurch.