’Quake toll may reach 50

Press, 24 June 1978, Page 8

’Quake toll may reach 50

NZPA-Reuter Salonika; Rescue teams have recov- [ I ered more bodies of victims i [of Tuesday’s earthquake in ; Salonika, bringing the death I toll to 35. The police fear I the toll will finally exceed : 50. A police spokesman said: [ that the bodies were found [ ; under the debris of an eight- [ storey block of flats which; 'collapsed minutes after the; ; shock. [ The Deputy Prime Minis-; i ter (Mr Constantine Papaconsrantinou) presided over ; a meeting of officials and i representatives of trade I unions, industrialists, and ; businessmen trying to re- ; start life in the almost; [deserted city. ; Many . shops and banks | [were open yesterday and; ; officials hope that the I ; 500,000 of the city’s popu-; ilation who fled to nearby; [ villages or south to Athens [ I will gradually return to their [homes. I The main task of the [authorities is to provide! food and medical supplies [ [ for the 200,000 Salonikans [ [who did not. leave the. city.; [ Most are camping in parks, [ [squares, and other open areas. ; The 3rd Army Corps, ’ [ which is based in Salonika, [ has set up relief stations; I where people can get food; land medical treatment. Meanwhile, the after-; shocks which had caused; panic among the population causing the mass exodus I < ; continued yesterday but at I longer intervals and weaker! [in strength.