EARTHQUAKE IN JAPAN

Otago Witness, Issue 3555, 2 May 1922, Page 18

EARTHQUAKE IN JAPAN

SEVERAL LIVES LOST. MOUNT ASAMA IN ERUPTION. TOKIO, April 26. A heavy earthquake shock considerably damaged property and killed a number of natives. Many of the exhibits at the Peace Exhibition were broken. The earthquake was preceded by an eruption on Mount Asama, 80 miles north-west of the capital. A heavy earthquake shock in the Hakone district reverberated like muffled thunder amongst the shuddering mountains. The Prince of Wales, motoring from Yamoto, felt nothing of the shock, and expressed' keen disappointment at missing the sensation. The weather having cleared, the Prince motored to Nagaotoge and viewed Fujiyama, 50 miles distant. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE REPORTED. TOKIO, April 26. One of the heaviest earthquakes on record has just been experienced in Japan. Houses in Tokio and Yokohama rocked for 10 seconds. Two Japanese were killed in Yokohama, where the foreign quarter was extensively damaged. Few buildings escaped, and several collapsed. Fifty feet of the wall of the outer moat erected 800 years ago fell, and numerous roofs tobogganed into the streets. Water mains were broken in several places, causing flooding. The entire population of both towns rushed into the streets when the earthquake commenced. No reports have yet been received from the country districts, where it is believed the damage is heavy. The earthquake followed an extensive eruption yesterday of the volcano Asama.