THE EARTHQUAKE IN EUROPE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1519, 29 March 1887, Page 3

THE EARTHQUAKE IN EUROPE.

-Vuklaidb, March 28. The 'following summary of news has been received per Oroya : — ;

London, Ftbrunry 2"> TheSouth of France was visaed by a smart shock of earthquake, lasting one minute, early on the morning of the 22nd instant. An oscillating motion was felt, followed in^ some places by two slight shocks, and two hours later the fourth shock was experienced. The shocks were most violent at Nice, where the people were p&nicstricken, running half dressed through the streets. A large number of visitors made a rush for the railway station to leave the town, but the train service was suspended, pending an examination of the tunnels. One woman died from fright. Several persons were moie or less injured by the (ailing of ceilings and the collapse of two houses. Tents were erected m the streets. Strangers quitted the town m all haste. At Vair three deaths were recorded. At Mentone several fatal accidents took place. The gens de' armes barracks and several other buildings collapsed. Business m these towns were entirely suspended. At Monte Carlo several persons were seriously injured. At Avignon the first shock irighte'ned the inhabitants of ihe town out of their houses, but no accidents occurred. The earrhquake was felt m all parts of Northern and Centrai Italy. At Turin the shocks were very severe, the first being perpendicular, then undulatory. Reports have been received of houses being thrown down, and numerous accidents occurred. A general panic still prevails throughout Southern France and Northern Italy. No warning of an earthquake was given beforehand, but it was observed as a curious fact that horses and other animals were restive and nervous some time previous to the first shock.

A later telegram gives terrible details of the destruction and loss of life. Over 1500 people, it is stated, have been killed m the Riviera district. The town of Diana Marina was totally destroyed, as well as several villages at Bogardo, The terrified inhabitants sought refuge m a church, which collapsed, killing 1300 persons m the ruins. All the information received shows that the catastrophe caused immense and widespread destruction. Successive reports from the scene of the earthquake m Italy aggravate the disastrous character of the calamity, and it is now calculated that the number of persons killed reaches 2000. Several further slight shocks were reported, causing a renewal of the panic.