EARTHQUAKE IN ITALY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1348, 16 January 1915, Page 3

EARTHQUAKE IN ITALY.

i 2,000 KILEEI b IURED. ENORMOUS i> \MAGE DONE. Ravr;, January r.f. The earthquake shock was felt from Aucoua to Naples at b o’clock on Wednesday morning. At Rome the colonnade of St. Peter's suffered considerably and ir o windows were shattered at the 1-iasilica. The shake was severely felt at the Vatican, and the Pope invited everybody to pray. The shock lasted for seventy seconds. , Avezzano (in the province of Aquila) has been completely destroyed. The official repott states that the earthquake was most disastrous in a district within a radius of 100 miles from a centre probably situated in the province of Poteuza. Reuter’s correspondent states that only 800 were saved at Avezzano, out of a population of 8000. Tire greatest havoc occurred in villages surrounding the extinct volcano Monte Vulture. There was a tidal wave near Naples. A second shock was felt at Rome at 3 o’clock on Thursday morning. The inhabitants spent the night in the open. It is estimated that 12,000 persons were killed and 20,000 injured by the earthquake. It is believed that there are only 100 survivors at Avezzano. They are camped around tires in the principal square, aud seem to have lost their senses. They are incapable or aiding victims, aud thus passed the night. One of the survivors states that he was in the street when the shock came. Everything fell to pieces. Others state that the destruction eclipses Messina, The town is one immense cemetery.

20,000 IN’

Under the ruins of a college a

young giil's voice was heard j saying : '"There are 140 still alive, j Bring help quickly !” j Groans and cries were heard j everywhere from the ruins. Ninety-five out of 100 carabi- | mers composing the garrison were killed. Twenty other towns were destroyed, including Magliana di Marsi.