WORST IN TURKEY’S HISTORY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 December 1939, Page 5

WORST IN TURKEY’S HISTORY

Over Ten Thousand People Killed WHOLE VILLAGES RAZED TO GROUND SURVIVORS FLEE TO OPEN COUNTRY (By Telegraph—Press 'Association—Copyright.) ‘ LONDON, December 28. More than 10,000 have been killed and whole villages razed over an area of 4000 square miles by an earthquake in Anatolia. Many more have been killed in Tangier, where buildings have also been destroyed. The earthquake is said to be tin* worst recorded in Turkey s history. The seismographic registrations throughout Europe show the extent and force of the earthquake. 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, Refahiye, and Amasya. More than 10,000 are dead, but interruption of communications precludes an accurate estimate. Thousands Bed to 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. Recording instruments were shattered in Neuchatel, Switzerland, Faenza, Italy, and Coimbra, Portugal, where the shocks were the most violent ever recorded. “Post office collapsing,” was the dramatic unfinished telegram sent by an unknown post office employee at Tokat, before dying at his post. lie gave Istanbul the first news of the earthquake, which razed villages over an area of 4000 square miles and greatly damaged many towns. A message from Tangier states that an earthquake there killed many and destroyed a store, a bank and other buildings. A. New York message states that considerable earthquake shocks were felt in Los Angeles at 2.2!) p.m. today, the epicentre being 40 to 50 miles distant. Damage is negligible. Shocks were also felt in San Salvador at 5.55 a.m. today and on the Nicaraguan Pacific coast at 7 a.m. yesterday. According to latest reports from Istanbul the town of Erzindjan, with a population of 25,000, was completely 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 Io 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 death-roll is more than 8000.