5000 FAMILIES HOMELESS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 13 November 1928, Page 7

5000 FAMILIES HOMELESS

THREE TOWNS WIPED OUT

(Received 13th November, 1.25 p.m.) LONDON, 12th November. A graphic picture of Mt. Etna's desolation is specially cabled to the "Evening Standard" from Sicily. The disaster has rendered 5000 families homeless. It has wiped out three towns and 760 houses, 2700 acres, seven years' wine crops are withered, one of the world's richest lemon tree valleys is buried ,and bridges, railways and roads have been overwhelmed.

The eruption continues unabated Great clouds of smoke and fire are com ing from a new crater far from the sum mit.

The correspondent followed the lava stream for six miles, starting a few hundred yards from the crater, where the intense heat brought him to a standstill. He says: "A smoke pall a mile high hangs over the crater. Now and again a gigantic wall of fire.sweeps skyr wards and the air is thick with small pellets and hot rocks, and a red wave spills over the edge and forces its way downward. Each gust adds thousands of tons to the stream, which means that it progresses at least five yards farther. After five hours' walk I reached Mascali. . Here there is a solid wall 100 feet high vertically across the one-time town square. Only seven houses are left. Meanwhile, the stream is flowing on eastward of Mascali, the roar and smoke unceasing as trees and isolated houses are devoured. Carraba is yet untouched, although its doom is sealed as the lava is to-day on the outskirts, but it is with the utmost difficulty that the peasants can be induced to leave. Evacuation is a more pathetic sight than the desolation. It is impossible to forecast the cessation. Last night the crater was quieter, but to-day it is more active, 'the township of Giarre must be saved at all costs. Happily the danger is not immediate as the stream will probably reach the sea and form a new headland, just as a neighbouring headland was formed 4000 years ago."