CHILDREN KILLED

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30630, 22 December 1964, Page 1

CHILDREN KILLED

Hurricane Hits Fiji

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) SUVA, December 21.

A hurricane sweeping around the western fringe of the Fiji group of islands took its first toll of life this morning when two Fijian children, both aged seven, were killed by a falling tree at Narewa village, near Nandi. All villagers have been evacuated to the village church.

A final hurricane warning at midday extended from northwest to southern Fiji, including the western half of Viti Levu, the main island of the group, where Lautoka and Nandi international airports are situated. The Press Association reports from Auckland that Nandi airport has been closed by the hurricane. Seceral flights have been affected. A T.E.A.L. Electra, which was due to leave at 8.30 p.m. today, will now leave at 9 p.m. tomorrow. The 73 passengers were accommodated in Auckland hotels.

The Qantas Boeing service from Sydney to San Francisco is now flying from Brisbane to Honolulu direct. The south-bound Boeing will be held at Honolulu for 24 hours. A T.E.A.L. special flight, which was due to leave at 6 o’clock tonight direct for Pago Pago, was delayed for an hour. The return trip, which was to be made through Nandi, is now a direct flight due at Auckland at 6.10 a.m. tomorrow.

Suva, although outside the danger area, has been lashed by a furious storm for the last 24 hours.