CITY RUINED

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1932, Page 5

CITY RUINED

EARTHQUAKE IN CUBA. DESTRUCTION AND FATALITIES. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright 1 HAVANA, February 3.

Reports reaching the Spanish language newspaper, "El -Alundo,” at two o'clock this morning, said that the city -it' 'Santiago ;de Cuba, s ituated on the south-east of the island of Cuba, with a population of about 70,003, has 'been laid hi ruins by an earthquake. ' .The -reports state that the earthquake has taken a toll of two thousand fives.

The i'lavnui newspaper, “El Mund:>,” at 2 in.m. to-dav, reports as fol-

"T ho city of Santiago de Cuba is in ruins. It has been wrecked by an earthquake.”

■ A despatch from the yacht "Corinth” said: “An earthquake wa s observed on the mainland at Santiago de Cuba. Heavy damage is indicated. Tho loss of life cannot be ascertained.”

POPULACE IN TERROR

14 DEAD IN ON.E BUILDING

SANTIAGO (Cuba), February 3

The earthquake occurred at night, (Parts of the- city were plunged into darkness, thereby adding ito the contusion and terror,

The cries of injured people were to he heard on all sides.

Emergency ambulances wove their way 'through debris, which covered the streets. • ’ tj The bodies of fourteen dead were reported to have been found huddled oil the lower floor of one large building. They had apparently been crushed to death by -the falling masonry .after rushing to the ground floor, hoping to find safety there. The first .shock came on Tuesday afternoon.

The second and the most severe slrock was -at 1.15 o'clock on Wednesday morning, when the population of seventy thousand were asleep. The -residents were tossed from their •beds a s the upper lloors of the houses crumbled. T-he people then fled to the .parks and to the open country for safety.

SHOCKS IN DARKNESS

SANTIAGO (Cuba), February 3

One-third of the city of Santiago tie Cuba is in ruins, and fifteen hundred are estimated to be dead, following on two severe earthquake shocks which occurred early this -(Wednesday) morning.

LOSS OF LIFE.

NOT AS HEAVY AS FiRST

REPORTED

(Received this day at 9.25 a.in) SANTIAGO (Cuba), February 3

Tho Mayoi' of Santiago reported today that eighit were killed and three hundred injured in last nights earthquakes, He has ordered gw and electricity services to be cut off to avoid fires, CASUALTIES THIRTY-SIX SO FAR. (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) SANTIAGO, February b. Early estimates of tho casualties were found to he high, with the issuance of the official announcement of six dead and thirty injured.

The property damage is extensive, few buildings escaping. The pM walls fell in, but ttlie i n inate ß escaped. Apparently the greatest damage was done in the business section, and the frightened people packed enough food to last them while they went into the open country. _ 0 It is believed that conditions will be normal in a few days.