EARTHQUAKE DISASTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1922, Page 3

EARTHQUAKE DISASTER.

[BT TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] FURTHER QUAKES. GUENOS AYRES, Nov. 12. There hns been a series of new earthquakes and vast seas and electrical storms. These have greatly hindered the rescue work being done in northern Chili, ind have added to the list of casualties, md property damage. Communication with the stricken area is still impossible. All news is coming via Valparaiso, which itself lias been slighty damaged by the earthquakes. Coqnimbo and Copiapo have been completely obliterated. They aie now a scene of inhuman looting. The dead iind injured are being robbed, and the rescuers are hampered by groups >f armed men who are taking valuables at will. OVER A THOUSAND DEAD. SANTIAGO, November 13. The disaster in Chili is even greater than it was at first reported. At least a thousand are dead. As well as this it is expected there ire many more victims. The city of Vallenar and the surrounding districts are completely destroyed. Thousands are homeless in provinces uf Antofagasta, Atacama and Coquimb*. SEAT OF TROUBLE. SANTIAGO, November 13. The Meteorological institute here, in explaining the cosmograpliic character af the upheaval declared that the

FURTHER QUAKES. GUENOS AYRES, Nov. 12. There hns been a series of new earthquakes and vast seas and electrical

storms. These have greatly hindered the rescue work lieing done in northern Chili, and have added to the list of casualties, and property damage. Communication with the stricken area is still impossible. All news is coming via Valparaiso, which itself lias been slighty damaged by the earthquakes. * Coqnimbo and Copiapo have been completely obliterated. They aie new a scene of inhuman looting. The dead and injured are being robbed, and the rescuers are hampered by groups of armed men who are taking valuables at will.

OVER A THOUSAND DEAD. SANTIAGO, November 13. The disaster in Chili is even greater than it was at first reported. At least a thousand are dead. As well as this it is expected there are many more victims. The city of Vallenar and the surrounding districts are completely destroyed. Thousands are homeless in provinces of Antofagasta, Atacama and Coquin,h*.

The Meteorological Institute here, in explaining the cosmograpliic character of the upheaval declared that the movement was on the ocean grave. There is evidence of some terrific disturbance in the bed of the Pacific, resulting in such a tearing of the bottom of the ocean that immense quantities of water were sucked back, causing an unprecedented recession along the Chilian coast.

Several times the water swept outward, returning in the shape of a gic 't wave, destroying everything before it The Institute declares the earth slio k coincided with a sunspot over the central meridian of the sun, beginning on November sth. The shocks began at the end of an abnormally hot day. 1400 LIVES LOST. (Received this dav at 9.30 a.m.) NEW YOKE, Nov. 13. United Press messages estimate the loss of life ill the Chilian earthquake and tidal wave at fourteen hundred. Starvation, pestilence and exposure are claiming additional victims. Relief expeditions are starting from unscathed cities as soon as the railways are restored, but owing to the heavy damage, it will be several days before this is possible. Martial law has been proclaimed in Copiapo.