FRIGHTFUL EARTHQUAKE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2509, 5 April 1881, Page 2

FRIGHTFUL EARTHQUAKE.

300 LIVES LOST.

Reports from Rome state that a terrible earthquake took place at Cuscamamacia, on the Island of Ischia, on Friday, March 4. The first shock occurred at 1.30 in the afternoon, and the second an hour after. The whole upper part of the town is destroyed, and two thermal establishments seriously damaged. The probable loss of life will reach 300, and the damage to houses and properly amounts to 1,000,000 francs. 30,000 people were deprived of shelter. The shocks were accompanied by a noise like subterranean thunder, and then came a crash of falling houses, mingled with the shrieks of the victims. Many deeds of heroism were performed by the soldiery. The scenes were harrow-ing-mothers, wives, and children, striving to snatch Jthe dead from the biers on which the soldiers were carrying them away. Further details say 300 detached limbs and fragments of bodies were dug from the ruins. An incidence is recorded of a kerchief fluttering from an upper storey of a building. Colonel Parodie mounted a ladder, and entering the window, reappeared with a woman unhurt, but insane.

Ischia is an island of Naples fifteen miles in circumference, and three miles from the coast. It is famous for its fruits, wines, and minerals, and the climate being healthy, it is the resort of thousands of invalids.