CUBAN DISASTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21098, 4 February 1932, Page 9

CUBAN DISASTER.

SEISMIC SHOCKS.

SANTIAGO OVERWHELMED.

THIRD OF CITY IN REINS.

APPALLING DEATH POLL. SLEEPING PEOPLE'S FATE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received February 3. 10.5 p.m.) VANCOUVER. Feb. 3. A messapp from Santiago, Cuba, states that one-third of the city was laid in ruins by two severe earthquake shocks — one yesterday afternoon and a more severe one at 1.15 a.m. to-day. It is estimated that 1500 people were killed. A despatch from Havana states that reports received by the Spanish newspaper El Mundo at 2 a.m. said Santiago was in ruins, and estimated the dead at 2000. A message from the yacht Corinth says the earthquakes were observed by her personnel and heavy damage was indicated.

A later telegram from Santiago states that parts of the city were plunged into darkness, adding to the confusion and terror. Cries of the injured were heard on all sides.

Emergency ambulances wove their way through the debris-covered streets. The bodies of 14 people are reported to have been found huddled together on the lower floor of one large building. Ap-

parently all had been crushed to death by falling masonry after rushing to the ground floor in the hope ot finding safety there.

When the second shock came the people were asleep. Those in the areas affected were tossed from their beds as the upper floors of their homes crumbled. All who escaped fled to the parks or into the open country for safety.

Santiago, capital of the Santiago Province, Cuba (the largest island in the West Indies), is the second oldest city on that island. It was founded by Velazquez in 1514. and has a population of 43.500. The city is situated on mountainous slopes. 540 miles from Havana by rail. The approach bv water :s through a harbour entrance, 100 yards wide, beneath the battlements of Morro Castle upon the summit of a rocbv point 200 ft, high. The seaward side of the promontory is precipitous, aud on the inner face a long flight of crumbling steps, hewn out of the rock, leads to the water s edge. Opposite Morro, on the left, is La Socapa. and within the harbour, in the rear of Morro, is (_ayo Smith (Smith Kev). a small island once held by the British. This is the home of fisher folk and pilots, and its red-tiled houses and small ruined chapel are picturesque. In a cove close bv Hobsou sank the rnac. Further up the harbour is Cayo Hatones, and a small island formerly the magazine, for the ships of the Spanish Navy. On the right shore, amid a grove of coconut trees, is the coaling station of Cinco Reales. Opposite are the summer residences of Santiago merchants. Santiago Cathedral, the largest church on the island, is in the Hispano-American style, with two towers and a dome. Ihe nave is of great width and the side chapels are rich in marbles and fine mahogany. The principal shopping streets are San Tomas. Enramadas and Marma. The Almfda is a popular avenue and drive in the lower part of the city, along the bav. The railway station on this avenue is "a handsome concrete structure.