SEVERE EARTHQUAKES

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 August 1946, Page 5

SEVERE EARTHQUAKES

DAMAGE AND CASUALTIES IN CARIBBEAN AREA PANIC IN PUERTO RICO PORT DU PRINCE (Haiti), Aug. 9. New' Caribbean earthquakes have rocked the already shattered northeastern section of the Dominican Republic. They shook Haiti and Puerto Rico, causing a panic in Puerto Rico and the towns of Agadilla, Mayaguez, and Moca. The American Embassy at Ciudad Trupillo, the Dominican capital, asked Naval District Headquarters at San Juan, Puerto Rico, for doctors and nurses. Fifteen doctors from Curacoa have arrived at Ciudad Trujillo to care for the victims of the new tremors .and of the preceding earthquakes and tidal waves which have hammered the republic at intervals since last Sunday. The number of casualties from the latest shocks has not been determined.

The latest tremors came as thousands of citizens of Ciudad Trujillo were preparing to attend a giant Mass to give thanks that last Sunday’s earthquake was no worse than ft was. Stores at Ciudad Trujillo were ordered to close to prevent looting. An aeroplane flying over the Dominican Republic reported that a river between Julia Molina and Conrera had changed its course. A new tidal wave swept through already wrecked Mantanzas on Scotch Bay. Thousands of inhabitants had previously fled to high ground in the interior. The sea receded a quarter of a mile at Puerto Plata, on the north coast, and surged back without inundating the city. . Many walls in Dominica which withstood the previous shocks crumbled during the latest eaithquake, which lasted 40 seconds. Panicky people jumped from balconies into streets. Others were injured by careering carts. Fearful residents tonight refused to sleep in their homes and stretched out in parks and streets. Many cliffs along the north coast are breaking down and sliding into the sea. 52 DEADAND 20,000 HOMELESS (Recd. 10 a.m.) _ , _ CIUDAD TRUJILLO, Aug. 9. Further earth tremors shook the Dominican Republic to-day the violent earthquakes which killed 52 persons and rendered 20,000 homeTidal waves, believed to have been caused by violent earthquakes at the bottom of the Atlantic, created widespread terror and destruction m tl - towns of Matanzas and Pueito Plat • Huge waves crushed dwellings instantly. The Government has organis - ed special relief and rescue seivices.