Devastating Earthquake in Turkey

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 307, 29 December 1939, Page 7

Devastating Earthquake in Turkey

Over 10,000 Dead; Many Towns Destroyed Severe Visitations in Other Countries United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.— Copyright Beceived Thursday, 7.40 p.m. LONDON, December 28. Seismographic registrations throughout Europe show the extent and force of the earthquake whose results were fatally manifested in Anatolia and Morocco. A message from Istanbul states that seven successive shocks between 2 and 5 a.m. are reported to have destroyed or damaged Samsun, Yozgat, Ordu, Tokat, Sivas, Befahiyc and Amasya. More than 10,000 are dead, but the interruption of communications precludes an accurate estimate of the dead. Thousands fled to the open country, where they are camping in a driving blizzard and bitter cold. The Government supplied medical aid with the Minister of the Interior directing operations. The recording instruments were shattered at Neuchatel (Switzerland), Faenza (Italy) and Coimbra (Portugal), where the shocks were the most violent ever recorded. “Post office collapsing," was a dramatic unfinished telegram from an unknown post office employee at Tokat before dying at his post. He gave Istanbul the first news of the earthquake, which razed villages in an area 4000 square miles and greatly damaged many towns. A message from Tangier states that the earthquake there killed many and destroyed a store, a bank and other buildings. New York reports that considerable earthquake shocks were felt at Los Angeles at 2.29 p.m. to-da.v, the epicentre being forty to fifty miles distant. The damage is negligible. Shocks were also felt at San Salvador at 5.55 a.m. to-day and on the Nicaraguan Pacific coast at 7 a.m. yesterday. Town of 25,000 Completely Destroyed Beceived Thursday, 11.20 p.m. ISTANBUL, December 28. According to latest reports, the town of Erzindjan, with a population of 25,000, was completed destroyed and 300 are . reported to have perished. Tents and warm clothing are being rushed to the stricken region. Deputies offered to contribute 40,000 Turkish pounds to assist the homeless, but the Premier intimated that a Government grant is being made as soon as the extent of the damage has been ascertained. An unofficial estimate of the total deathroll is over 8000.