TERRIBLE FLOOD

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16389, 11 July 1927, Page 7

TERRIBLE FLOOD

CATASTROPHE IN SAXONY HEAVY LOSS OF LIFE VIOLENT STORM CONTINUES (Elec. Tel. Copyright-United Press Assn.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) BERLIN, July 10. Advices indicate that at least 100 are dead as a result of floods in Mueglitz Valley, Saxony, which is studded with villages, chiefly occupied in making wooden toys. Many holiday-makers were trapped by the sudden inundation of the countryside when the banks of the usually placid river welled over with stupefying suddenness. There wore enormous losses of cattle and sheep, carcases floating everywhere. The water rushed in houses with such rapidity in some towns that the inhabitants were drowned abed. Many were engulfed in the torrents and dashed to, death against trees.

The walls of writer spread so fierceby following a violent cloudburst at Glashuette thai In people were drowned in a i'cw moments.

Something akin to a tidal wave swept Gottlcuba, near the lumber < amps, carrying off logs, which battered down the cottages and all the bridges.' Nothing was ' intact after the immense column of water struck Glashuette from the mountains. Telegraph posts were razed like straws and railway cuttings obliterated.

A train crossed a bridge just before its collapse, but instantly overturned in deep water. Other trains were partly submerged. Rescuers were unable to approach, and the passengers panicked as the waters rose. The casualties in this connection are not known.

Troops rushed to the scene, cooperating with the police rescue relief scpiads in propping up battered buildings. Gas and electricity were cut off at Chreiberhau, intensifying the suffering. Neuendorff was wiped out. Each succeeding report was more tragic. The severance of communications prevents the assessment of the death roll. It will be days before the extent of the catastrophe will be known. The storm is continuing with widespread violence, and the people arc making for the highlands, fearing that worse has yet to come.

The Reichstag suspended after voting relief, members of Cabinet hastening to the flood area.