LINER SINKS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19142, 27 October 1927, Page 9

LINER SINKS.

HEAVY LOSS OF LIFE FEARED. ITALIAN EMIGRANTS ABOARD. (m CABLX-FBISS ABSOCIATTOK-COPTTUOBT 1 (.AUSTRALIA* AM) K.S. AND BB.f CABU.) (Received October 26th, 9.40 p.m.) RIO DEI JANEIRO, October 20. The Italian liner, Principessa Mafalda, of Genoa, en route here, foundered 130 miles south-east of Bahia. Presumably there is a large loss of life, as the ship carried 1600 passengers, many being emigrants for Argentina.

Hundreds were rescued bv four ships which responded to calls for aid, the l 1 ronch vessel Formose saving more than 700 according to some reports, but others later indicate that onlv 720 of the liner's passengers had been accounted for last night. The Minister for the Navy has ordered a cruiser to proceed to the scene. It is believed that the Mafalda sank after striking a reef. [The Principessa Mafalda was a twin-screw steamer of 9210 tons and was built at Naples in 1903. She was owned by the Genoan-Italiana Navigation Company.]

STEAMERS EFFECT MANY RESCUES.

(AUSTRALIAN' AND K.Z. CABLB ASSOCIATION.)

(Received October 26th, 10.50 p.m.)

RIO DE JANEIRO, October 26. Of the 720 people saved from the Mafalda, a French steamer rescued 120, the British steamer, Empire Star, 200, and the German steamer, Athena, 400. The British steamer, Radioleine, assisted, but it is not known whether she rescued any.