EARTHQUAKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 444, 31 December 1908, Page 3

EARTHQUAKE.

In Southern Italy

Romk, December 28

A severe earthquake, causing great destruction of property and m uch loss of life, has occurred in Southern Italy.

Three persons were killed and sixty injured at Stefanaconi, iu Calabria, and two were killed at San Gregorio. Many persons were injured in other Calabiian hamlets.

There has also been great destruction of property and loss of life at Catania ami iu other Sicilian towns.

Two-lb inis of the Sicilian seaport. Messina have been destroyed, and thousands of people are reported to have been killed. Much pillaging followed the disaster. Hundreds of houses collapsed. The captain of the frigate Passino was buried in tbe ruins.

All the warships at Naples have been ordered to Messina with relief. King Emmanuel is proceeding there.

A tidal wave overran most of Messina, leaving a layer of mud which rendered it very difficult to extricate’ the injured. Fires also occurred owing l j gas explosions. It is reported that Foro Ganzini, one of the suburbs of Messina, has disappeared. Violent shocks occurred between half-past five and six o’clock iu the morning at Calanzaro and Reggio di Calabria, on the Italian side of the Straits of Messina. Tbe terrified inhabi.ants, half-clothed, were aroused Irom their sleep and poured into the streets, where rain was falling.

Prisoners in several gaols became pauic-stricket, and smashed the doors and windows until soldiers were summoned and restored order.

Terrible scenes were witnessed at tbe hospital at Catania, where the patients were seized with panic. Extensive damage has been done at Bagnara, Calabra, Giola, Palma and other towns, where the residents are encamping in the fields. The shock was of very long duration and frightful imeusity. It is feared that a repetition of the disaster of 1905 has occurred.

[Messina, founded by the Greeks in 740 8.C., was almost ruined by an earthquake and au eruption of Etna in 1693, and in 1740 was nearly depopulated by a plague. In 1773 it was half destroyed by an earthquake. The population of the city was estimated in 1891 at 89,000, In the same year the population of Catania and suburbs was estimated at 117,500. Catania, situated on the east coast of Sicily, near the foot of Mt Etna, has often been ruined by earthquakes and eruptions ot Etna, but has always been rebuilt iu a superior style.] Further Details. Rome, Dec. 29. British warships have gone to Messina to tbe relief of sufferers by the earthquakes. Troops were compelled to shoot pillagers. The fire destroyed the prisons, but the prisoners escaped. Several barracks collapsed. Troops numbering 4000 have started from Rome for Messina. The Pope is greatly distressed concerning the disasters. He wjshed to go to Messina, but the doctors forbade him owing to the poor state of his health. The majority of the bordering on the Straits of Messina (which are twenty-two miles long) have been destroyed. One hundred victims perished at Calabria, and 500 at Palma. In all, 500 fishing boats and three steamers lying at Catanias were sunk. It is feared that Reggiodi and Taiabria are destroyed. Signor Caruso, the famous Italian singer, who is at present in New York, has sent ,£SOO to aid the Messina sufferers. It is officially reported that Messina is practically destroyed. The Town Hall, churches, and other buildings collapsed. The Trinacria Hotel, at Messina, with its staff and ninety visitors, was destroyed. It fell like a pack of cards. Thousands of people are dead, including the general in command of the garrison and the archbishop. London, Dec. 29. Roman newspapers state that the deaths caused by the recent earthquake total 60,000.