AN EARTHQUAKE

Hokitika Guardian, 2 April 1931, Page 5

AN EARTHQUAKE

THOUSANDS INJURED

THIRTY MILLION DOLLARS DAMAGE.

[ United Press Association— By Electric JLeiegrapli .—Copyright. J

WASHINGTON, April 1

According to late reports from the officials of t’ > Tropical Radio Company, an c. » -ate of one thous a mi dead would be conservative. Several thousand have been gravely injured by the eitruiquake, which destroyed the city in six seconds, and there were subsequent fires, which are still unchecked.

The Anglo-South American Bank at Managua was blown up to-night, in an attempt to cheek the flames. Half a million dollars in cash was in the building. It was not removed. The total damage will be some thirty million dollars.

No food is available. There is no water, and no shelter lor the homeless There is only one hospital. The Presidential Palace is undamaged. . Power is cut off, the cables being broken. Women and children are crying and moaning through the streets. ' The greatest number of deaths occurred in the penitentiary, vvhich crumbled to powder. AWFUL SCENES, CATHEDRAL STILL STANDS. MANAGUA, March 31. The duration of the earthquake was brief, but it brought down the greatest part of all of the buildings. Eire immediately started. 3ho laigest hotel in the city lias now but one wall standing, and dead and injured in the building could be seen from the street.

The scenes in the streets were indescribable. Women were screaming, and many with children in their arms ran from the flames and falling buildings. Many streets were impassable, being choked with debris. A pall of smoke overhung the city. The steel frame Cathedral of Managua remains standing. All the other churches in the city are in ruins.

The lighting plant remained workable, but the current was cut off as a safety' precaution, leaving the city in darkness.

TWENTY BLOCKS BURNT. HOLY WEEK HOLIDAYS. SAVES GREAT MANY LIVES. MANAGUA, March 31. y The property' ciaiWijtfe ih the 'cj'uakoq A i B festitnated lit thirty million dollars. The British and the United States T-egfifcious at Managua, wui'e destroyed. Flumes swept twenty blocks in the centre of the city. s~ Fortunately, a large part of the city’s population went out of town. They had gone to the seashore ror tne Holy Week holidays. The homeless families are sheltered in tents. Bolling kitchens are issuing soup and coffee. Food is scarce. CITY SHAKEN AGAIN. AT NIGHT TIME. Y NEW YOBK, March 31. A message from New Orleans says: That the Tropical Radio there had received a report that another quake shook Managua city on Tuesday night There are no details. U.S.A. RELIEF MEASURES. WASHINGTON, Apiir 1. President Hoover immediately upon learning of the Managua earthquake took personal charge of the relief efforts. Red Cross and other organisations are rushing aid to the scene. Naval and army groups are co-oper-ating. Relief aeroplanes have departed from points in the United States as far north as Philadephia. --A NO BRITISH OR FRENCH > RESIDENTS KILLED. MANAGUA, April 1. It is announced no British or French residents have been killed in the quake. United States 'Marines had the fire under control on Wednesday afternoon.