HURRICANE'S AFTERMATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20978, 15 September 1931, Page 9

HURRICANE'S AFTERMATH.

|2OO DEAD AT BELIZE. MANY bodies cremated. VAST FUNERAL P4 r RES. jIEES RAGING IN SUBURB. OUTBREAK OF PLAGUE. I JJy TV'egrnph—Press Association—Copyright (Received September 14. 6.15 p.m.) BELTZE. Sept. is It is now estimated that more than 1200 lives were lost in the hurricane which de vastated Belize on Thursday night. Huge clouds of smoke hung over the (jty to-day, a,s cremation was resorted to jn disposing of the bodies of victims, gcores of bodies were burned on five vast funeral pyres. In addition, more than 700 dead were placed in crude graves. Fires are raging in the suburb of Meso potamia as an aftermath of tho hurricane. The flames are spreading rapidly. The Honduran Consul hero reported tc his Government to-day that plaguo had broken out in the city. EXTENT OF DAMAGE. ESTIMATED AT £200,000. assistance for survivors. (Received September 14, 7.25 p.m.) British Wireless. RUGBY, Sept. 13. According to information received by the Colonial Ofiicc, tho hurricane which struck British Honduras on Thursday night destroyed 70 per cent, of the town of Belize. The damage is estimated at more than £200.000. As the result of the tidal wave which followed tho hurricane the town was inundated to a depth of from sft. to 6ft. Latest advices state that the situation is well in hand. Food, which is urgently needed, and medical stores are on tho vay on the cruiser Danae and the United States warship Rochester. The Colonial Office lias requested the commanders of any British ships in the vicinity to render any assistance in their power. Kins; George and the Colonial Secretary, Mr. J. 11. Thomas, have sent nies»ages of sympathy.