EARTHQUAKE AND FIRES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21300, 2 April 1931, Page 11

EARTHQUAKE AND FIRES

CITY OF MANAGUA STRICKEN ENORMOUS LOSS OF LIFE FEW HOUSES LEFT STANDING (United Press Association,) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) NEW YORK, March 31. A message from Managua (Nicaragua) states' that a terrific earthquake shook the city to-day, causing great damage. The Tropical Radio Company at Panama City reports that Managua was destroyed. Only a few houses are standing, and these are burning. It is reported that 40 persons -were tilled and that fires are spreading rapidly. Nicaragua is the largest State of Central America, containing an area of 51,660 English square miles, and a population of about 750,000, of whom about three-quarters are of mixed blood and the rest Indians. Managua, the capital, has a population of 40,000. FLAMES COMPLETE THE RUINS. FURTHER TREMORS OCCUR. VANCOUVER, March 31. The latest reports from Managua show that one-storey residences were literally pulled apart as the tremors jolted - the city without warning at two minutes past 10 in the forenoon. Fire started immediately in the market centre, travelling westward, consuming a score of business blocks, and licking up the collapsed houses. Within an hour secondary earthquakes came, none lasting more than a few seconds. By noon half of the city was in flames, and there seemed to be no way of stopping the fire as it jumped from one to another of the lightly-built houses. Practically all the damage was done in the first six seconds. Seventy per cent, of the buildings in the city were brought down, and a great pall of dust arose, .mingled with smoke from the fires. A LATER MESSAGE. OVER ONE THOUSAND KILLED. VANCOUVER, March 31. - When the fire started the market place » was crowded with women and children. Thirty-five were burned to death. The Hotel Opone (the largest in the city) was wrecked. The water system was disrupted, and the useless water mains protruded through the smashed pavements. Dead and injured •‘V.e scattered in the streets, where no wall remained standing 10 feet above the ground. Martial law was declared. By 3 o’clock in the afternoon some Semblance of order was restored. The cathedral, an old structure of red sandstone, and the Presidential Palace were shaken to pieces. A later message states that it is estimated that upwards of 1000 were killed, including many Americans. The injured number several thousand. The British and American Legations •were destroyed. The Government offices were wrecked, and banks, department stores, and office buildings burned. The United States marines took charge. LEGATIONS DESTROYED. - . . r.: MANAGUA, March 31. . -- (Received April 1, at 8 p.m.) ' The property damage caused by the earthquake is estimated at 30,000,000 dollars. The British and the United States Legations were destroyed by the flames, which swept 20 blocks in the centre of the city. Fortunately a large part of the population was out of the town, having gone to the seashore for the Holy Week holidays. Homeless families are sheltered in tents and rolling kitchens are issuing soup and coffee. Food is scarce. ' ANOTHER SHOCK REPORTED. ■ . i ■_ .... ' NEW YORK, . March 31. (Received April 1, at 9 p.m.) A message from New Orleans says that ft wireless message received there reported that there was another earthquake shock at Managua on Tuesday night. There are no details. THE CITY IN DARKNESS. MANAGUA, March 31. (Received' April 1/at 9 p.m.)

The duration of the earthquake was brief, but it brought down the greater part of all the buildings. The scenes in the streets were indescribable. Screaming women, many with children in their ■ arms, ran from the flames and falling buildings. Many of the streets are impassable, being choked with debris. A pall of smoke hung over the city. The steel frame of the Cathedral remained standing, but all the other churches are in ruins. The lighting plant could be worked, but the current has been cut off as a safety precaution, leaving the city in darkness. AID RUSHED TO SCENE. ATTEMPT TO CHECK FLAMES. WASHINGTON, April 1. (Received April 1, at 10 p.m.) President Hoover, upon learning of the Managua earthquake, immediately took personal charge of the relief efforts. The Red Cross and other organisations arc rushing aid to the scene, • and naval and army groups are co-operating. Relief aeroplanes have departed from points in the United States as far north as Philadelphia. According to late reports from officials of the Tropical Radio Company the estimate of 1000 dead is conservative. Several thousand people are gravely injured. The Anglo-South American Bank was blown up to-night in an attempt to check the flames. The sum of 500,000 dollars in cash in the building was not removed. One hospital and the Presidential Palace are undamaged. The power has been cut off and the cables are broken. The greatest number of deaths occurred in the penitentiary, which crumbled to powder.