A GREAT DISASTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 January 1922, Page 3

A GREAT DISASTER.

tragedy grows greater

MANY NOTED PEOPLE VICTIMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. I / WASHINGTON, Jan 29. Among those injured are AssistantPos t m aster-G enera 1 Shaughnessy and his wife, and a member of the Italian Embassy. It is believed that the dead include a sister of the Guatemalian Minister. Two instances occurred where persons deeply entombed under masses of material had warm milk and other nourishment passed to them through tubes inserted in apertures, made by picks by the light of actylene torches. President Harding has issued a statement declaring ilia words were inadequate to voice, his sorrow at the disaster, adding: “This terrible tragedy, staged ini' the midst of a great storm, has deeply impressed all of us, and lias left us wondering about the revolving fates.”

The tragedy grows greater even’ hour. Ninety-two dead have already been removed, and the number is growing steadily. It is hoped that there may not be more tlian 125 killed. While it was at first estimated that there were only 500 in the theatre when the- collapse occurred, the management is uncertain, and the number may have been, even 1000 or more. The debris is so vast, and the snow is so encumbering, that the rescuers are compelled to work slowly, in order to possibly save those 1 still alive. The task is far from completion. General Pershing is directing the rescue work and soldiers control the area about the theatre, also several churches which are being used as temporary morgues, and which agonised men and women are searching for relatives. Several families have been completely

wiped out. Many Government officials and several army officers, also two brothers-in-law of Senator E. Root are among the dead.

THE DEATH ROLL. WASHINGTON, Jan 29. The dead in the cinema number 110