ERUPTION DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 9 November 1928, Page 5

ERUPTION DISASTER

TOWNS WIPED OUT,

ENORMOUS DA.AIAGE

(United Press Association—Bv Electric

Telegraph—Copyright)

RO.AIE. November 7

Seismological experts state the eruption is unprecedented both in violence and in quantity erupted, amounting to thousands of tons. It is believed it will continue for some time. The chief stream has now engulfed Alascali. The position of the inhabitants is tragic. They were in the process of celebrating the feast day of a patron saint, the disaster transforming merriment into mourning and grief. The lava at first respected the facade of the belfry and church, which was built amid the smoke, ashes and fire, hut at throe o’clock this afternoon they toppled. Alascali is thus virtually obliterated, together with the neighbouring town, Amiu/.iata.

The faithful, confident in the Almighty, transferred the images olf its .Madonnas to an impromptu open air altar, around which kneeling priests and people sang litanies and prayed to Heaven. There was a faint hope that the lower part of Alascali would he spared owing to the deflection in the lava bed of Serrabanra torrent, where it is going toward the sea, instead ol spreading over the plain. The lava at its widest point is over two thousand feet. It is now ten miles from where it first erupted from the crater. Overcoming the first paralytic shock, the inhabitants awakened to the need of saving their possessions, making the most pitiful struggles to carry to safety furniture and everything removable. Multitudes of peasants from smaller villages on the mountain flanks grouped at Alascali with bags and bundles, waiting to leave, should it he necessary. The neighbourhood is encumbered with motor cars and lorries Irom Sicily to help the removal of the inhabitants, while isolated groups are still descending the mountains. Lava destroyed the aqueduct, depriving the township of Riposo of drinking water. There is a grave danger ol the mass invading the flat lands adjacent to the sea. The situation is more intolerable in the darkness owing to the electric Hants ceasing. Evacuation is hoi in. l carried on by torchlight creating a fantastic scene. The large town of Giarre with over twenty thousand inhabitants is now seriously threatened. Should lava roach it, it would he a great disaster 7n view of its commerce and flourishing industries. Iliere is a lurther dangei in the fact that lava is half a mile from Miessina-Catama railway and is threatening to isolate the rescue centre of Catania from the remainder of the island and the mainland.

A gigantic smoke pillar Irom Etna is visible for miles. The sky is darkly clouded hut through it can he seen the vivid flame and flashes ‘from the different craters.

The lava flow can he followed.by a trail of sinoke and burning woods and orchards. To the calm headedness of the inhabitants and splendid organisation of the authorities is due the fact that there has not been a single death in the whole area though the property damage is inestimable.

LAVA MEETS HOUSES

HERCULANEUM’S DESTRUCTION

RECALLED

ROME. November 7

AYhcn the stream of lava approached .Alascali. the houses on the outskirts collapsed one after another, with loud reports, and practically were melted. The sound of the advancing lava is like that of countless sacks ot coal beinf heaviiv dumped. Scientists’believe that tlie present disaster is a most realistic reproduction of tlie destruction of Herculaneum by Mount Vesuvius. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.

ROME. November 7

The Rome authorities at ( atania have decided to attempt to divert the main torrent of lava by up an artificial outlet to the sea am. thus save Fiumcfreddo. At Caltahiano live hunderd army engineers assisted hv many gangs of workers, wi enc envoi, r to divert the stream along the course made, hv blasting roads "Hli tons of dynamite.

LAVA DISASTER.

ENGULFING FURTHER TOWNS

(Received this day at 12.25. p.mA V ROAIE. Nov. 8.

Lava is rushing on remorselessly with siirns of abatement, becoming hotter and more liquid. Masoati is now completely obliterated, the last sound being the mournful tolling of bells as the belfry swayed violently before collapse. After overwhelming Alascali. the lava" split up into three streams. Two ot those later reunited and are now advancing approximately 75 yards hourly The important centres of Giarre •Hid Reogredo are all partially evacuated. Alcan while » third stream is on the point of wiping out the small village of Carraba which is already deserted. Trendies have lveon dug and barrieis thrown up in the hope of diverting the mass from Gialrre. the richest and most fertile districts definitely threatened.