STREAMS OF FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 266, 9 November 1928, Page 7

STREAMS OF FIRE.

SWEEPING PROM ETNA

Terrifying Plight Of Hundreds

Of Villagers.

DEVASTATING PLOW.

(Australian and N.Z. Press Association^"

(Received 2 p.m.)

ROME, November 8.

Lava is rushing on remorselessly with no signs- of abatement. It is becoming hotter and more liquid. Mascali is now completely obliterated. The last sound from the doomed town was the mournful tolling of bells as the belfry swayed violently before its collapse.

After the overwhelming of Mascali the lava stream split- up into three streams. Two of these were later reunited, and are now advancing approximately at the rate of 75 yards an hour. The important centres of Giarre, Riofreddo and Carrabba are all partially evacuated. Meanwhile, the third stream is on the point of wiping out the small village of Carrabba, wliich is already deserted. Trenches have been dug and barriers thrown up in the hope of diverting the mass from Giarre. The most fertile and richest districts are definitely threatened.

J-Tufessor Ponte, director of the Etna observatory has telegraphed to Mussolini saying that the eruptions of 1910 and lull lasted for a fortnight. The present is far more violent, and must extend much longer*.

Aeroplanes are circling the summit, signalling any new phenomena. They announced that a rain of stones «.nJ cinders had begun, accompanied by explosions which were heard all over the district, like a roar of artillery. It is now revealed that three men were incinerated in a farmhouse at Mascali. They had cleared'out the women and children and were preparing to leave when boiling lava encircled the house, which collapsed like a pack of cards. A vast crowd assembled, but none could reach the men before they were swallowed up.

Animals are reacting to the catastrophe in strange ways. Cats jump boldly on the advancing, incandescent mass, and are incinerated. Birds fly low, uttering mournful death songs before fluttering downward to destruction. Only dogs are normal, barking violently as at the approach of the enemy.

The evacuation of the villages is being carried out with wonderful discipline, each family following their cart containing their few effects. One young widow tramped alongside the coffin of her recently dead husband. Large woods and orange groves have been blotted out over a wide area.

The Minister of Works is superintending the evacuation. Detachments of troops are aiding by using explosives to form great holes in the mountainside in an attempt to check the progress of the lava stream.

In addition to the lava, incandescent boulders are now being vomited from the crater. Some measure ten cubic feet, constituting a grave menace to water pipes, none of which can withstand the terrible impact should they be struck.

Among the victims are an old couple living in a lonely cottage amid orange groves. They lingered on, hoping to be spared, but suddenly the lava speeded and the cottage and its occupants disappeared in a stream of fire.

The number of Mascalis homeless will exceed 10,000. They are in a pitiable condition despite the efforts to alleviate their sufferings.

DIVERTING LAVA. Plan To Open Up Artificial Outlet. ETNA ERUPTION. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) ROME, November 8. The authorities at Catania hare decided to attempt to divert the main torrent of lava by opening up an artificial outlet to the sea and thus save Fiume, Freddo and Caltabiano. Five hundred army engineers, assisted by many gangs of workers, will endeavour to divert the lava streams along a course to be made by blasting the roads with tons of dynamite.