EARTHQUAKE IN ITALY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 134, 8 June 1910, Page 5

EARTHQUAKE IN ITALY.

SEVENTEEN TOWNS SHAKEN.

MANY LIVES LOST.

INHABITANTS CAMPED IN THE STREETS.

GREAT CATHEDRAL IN RUINS.

fPBESS ASSOCIAXCON. — COPYUIGHT,]

(Received 8.30 a.m.)'

HOME, June 7.

A severe earthquake, fortunately attended by less dreadful results than followed the great earthquake at Messina last year, but so serious as to cause much loss of life and property occurred in Italy last night.

The affected area was a very wide one, embracing a considerable portion of Southern Italy, the shocks being felt from coast to coast—from Naples on the one side to the Gulf of Manfredonia on the other, the provinces of Campania and Molise being badly shaken.

Reports received so far indicate that seventeen towns and villages were badly damaged, while no estimate of the total loss of life can yet be accurately made.

The shocks, which were of an undulating character, occurred late at night, when the majority of people were in bed and asleep.

Many houses fell in upon their occupants, who were killed while asleep by the falling timbers.

The town of Avellinc to the westward of the Neapolitan Appenines, was near the centre of the dirturhance, and was one of the worst sufferers, over twenty lives being lost here alono, while there were many deaths elsewhere.

In practically every street in this town houses were shaken to the earth, while great fissures were lorn in the roadways. The terror-stricken survivors are now encamped in the open spaces surrounding the town, where there is no fear of being killed by falling buildings.

In Naples the shocks were severely felt, and there was a great panic in the town, many of the inhabitants of which are now encamped in the streets.

Much damage was done at Foggia, near the eastern coast, and here also the people are afraid to enter their houses, and are camping in the streets and squares.

The beautiful cathedral of Bovino, one of the finest in Southern Italy, has been very badly damaged, a great portion of the building, which dates back many centuries, lying in ruins.

The shocks were felt as far northward as Montreux, in Upper Rhone Valley, and they caused several avalanches on the Dent dv Midi.

Immediately news of the disaster was received King Emmanuel and Queen Helena left Rome by special train for the stricken distritit, while the Government dispatched a sanitary corps and several companies of Engineers, who are now actively engaged searching for survivors and recovering the bodies from the ruins.