MASS EXODUS FROM SICILY

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31583, 22 January 1968, Page 11

MASS EXODUS FROM SICILY

(N Z. Press Association —Copyright) PALERMO (Sicily), January 21. Thousands of Sicilians streamed north yesterday out of their island’s earthquake ruins on the road of no return.

In fear, in misery, and in despair, they were abandoning the island that has been their family home. Many planned to leave Italy and to seek jobs and new homes in Switzerland, France and West Germany. They left behind them a dozen towns devastated by last Monday's earthquakes. They left their dead in fresh graves or still buried beneath the rubble that had been their homes. They trickled steadily away

from seven, refugee tent towns where they had huddled in the rain and mud for a few days, living on bread flown from the mainland and waiting for medicine for their sick children. Many particularly the young—said this last stunnine tragedy had broken ties with Sicily. They said whatever un certainties the future held m lands they had never seen they could only be better than what they had known or co fl.| look forward to on the island of their fathers. Because of the bad weather and increased illness in the earthquake disaster zone, oflicials decided tonight to evacuate some of the tent camps They began transporting cold and weary survivors to the city of Marsala, on the western coast, which suffered n.o major damage in the earth quake. About 500 refugees were taken to Marsala shortly after the order and the Mayor was told to find room for 2500 more. Most of the refugees were being put up in schools. In Rome, the Italian Cabinet today decided to set aside $NZ64,290,000 for urgent aid to survivors of the disaster. President Giuseppe Saragat has taken in 10 refugee families to live at his palatial home in Rome.