Terrible Earthquake

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 187, 16 January 1915, Page 5

Terrible Earthquake

'MESSINA ECLIPSED.

FEARFUL HAVOC IN AVEZZAXO. OVER 110,000 CASUALTIES. By Cable-—Press Association—Copyright, London, January 14. Renter's Rome correspondent states tliat the total estimated casualties by the earthquake are 12,000 killed and 20,000 injured. Rome, January 11. The buildings at Potcuza were seriously damaged, but there were few victims. The greatest havoc was wrought in villages surrounding the extinct volcano Monte Vulture.

''A tidal wave, near Naples, and a second shock of earthquake occurred in Rome at 3 ori Thursday morning The inhabitants spent the night in the open. Celano and Pescina were partially destroyed, and there are many dead under the ruins.

Fifty-seven buildings were damaged in Rome. The Cicero tower at Arpino collapsed.

It is believed that there are only 100 survivors at Avezzano. They camped round fires in the principal square, and seemed to have lost their senses, and to be incapable of aiding the victims. Thus they passed the night. One survivor states that ho was in the street when it was shaken to pieces. Others state that the destruction eclipses the Messina disaster. The town is one immense cemetery. Under the ruins of a college a young girl's voice was heard, saying: ''There are 140 still alive. Bring help quickly!" Groans and cries were heard everywhere from the ruins. Ninety-five out of 100 Carabineers composing the garrison were killed. Twenty other towns were destroyed including Masarid T)i Marsi. A FEARFUL DEATIi-ROLL DIFFICULTIES OF RESCUE. ONLY ONE HOUSE LEFT IN AVEZZANO. Received 15, 7.15 p.m. Rome, January 13. The stricken area is greater th:m «as at first believed. Eighteen small towns in the neighbourhood of Lake Fiicino, which was the centre of the disturbance, were razed, and twenty damaged. It is estimated that twenty thousand were killed in this region ;imi fori.v thousand injured. Th.-> faulty system of house construction by dry-building, was the chief cause of the death-roil. The only house standing in Avcmno w:u luilt on concrete foundations.

Soldiers are feverishly working to :escue 110 school girls. Thr have ceased, but it is hoped that many will he found alive. The King is supcrintmding the. work.

The town nresentsi a frightful appearance). Great blocks of stone, piled one on another, renders the rescue difficult. Two hundred dead and 100 ii.jnred have been extricated. A MOUNTAIN SLIDE. RIVERS RUN BACK. Received 10, 12.50 a.m. Rome, January 15. A section of the mountain near Salerno, 3000 feet long by 500 wide was split oil' and crashed into the valley, destroying everything in its path, and causing many casualties. Every hotel at Fiuggi, near Rome, collapsed or was damaged, but as the season was past the casualties were few. Rivers in the vicinity ran '"back for two hours after the shock, Geneva, January 15. Severe, earthquake shocks are reported from Mount Blanc range. Many avalanches occurred, and several villages are isolated. Slight shocks were felt in the Tyrol. TOWNS IN RUINS. FURTHER DETAILS OF THE DISASTER.

Received Iti, 12.5 a.m. Rome, January 15. The Pope visited the injured at Santa Maria hospital. Tlie shock was more violent than the Messina earthquake. The great marble cross at the basilica of St. Paul's, was thrown into the roadway. A glass roof fell into the Chamber of Deputies, burying the Ministers' tables with piles of wreckage.

Many prosperous towns and holiday resorts were damaged. " A train travelling was derailed by the shock and a number of passengers injured. An eye-witness relates that where there had been towns he saw enormous whirlwinds of dust and smoke. Two-thirds of Sora is in ruins. The Rossi Palace collapsed and buried twenty people. Many local authorities and notable people are among the victims. Some 450 bodies have been recovered, and many have boon rescued.