TERRIBLE ERUPTION

Southland Times, Issue 18972, 20 June 1923, Page 5

TERRIBLE ERUPTION

ETNA AGAIN ACTIVE CBAGIC SCENES OE DESOLATION MANY TOWNS THREATENED (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) ROME, June 18. Mount Etna has been in most violent •ruption since yesterday. Thousands of tons of lava have been emitted by the main erater, while five new craters have appeared. Some of the most fertile vineyards and farms and woods have been destroyed, together with many houses. The railway station at Castiglione was destroyed. A lava stream three hunrded and fifty yards wide is advancing at the rate of three hundred yards per hour, and is threatening the town of Lingualosa. The latter, as well as Castiglione, has been completely evacuated, the inhabitants fleeing with their portable belongings. When latest advices were received the molten stream was only three thousand feet from Castiglione, which it was feared would be completely obliterated. LONDON, June 18. Reuter’s Naples correspondent says that ■everal eruptions preceded loud explosions on the north-eastern part of Mount Etna. Streams of lava have destroyed a considerable area of cultivated grounds, pine woods, and the Castliglione railway station. A atream of lava 300 metres wide threatens (he Lingualosa district. FRIGHTFUL CANNONADE. DESTRUCTION FORTY MILES DISTANT HUGE LAVA FLOW. ROME, June 18. (Received June 19, 7.35 p.m.). The eruption of Etna is accompanied by •uch massed noises that it is likened to the discharge of a thousand massed guns. The inhabitants of Messina, although 40 miles distant, had their homes gutted, and removed their effects to the seashore. A shower of cinders added to the panic. Eventually they returned to their homes. Later messages state that Linguagiosa was almost surrounded by lava. Several houses collapsed. The lava atream varies from 30 to 45 feet. The highest and largest eruptive crater is at present called Monte Nero, from where the biggest lava stream issued and covered a distance of five miles down to the nearest valley, under eight hours, a record for a lava torrent. Numerous villages and hamlets were destroyed, the inhabitants having barely time to escape in what clothes they iad on. EFFORTS TO STAY LAVA ADVANCE. FOUR NEW FISSURES ON MOUNTAIN. FLIGHT OF PEASANTS CONTINUES LONDON, June 19. (Received June 19, 10.5 p.m.) Rome messages state that soldiers are digging trenches in the hope of stopping the lava stream. Four new fissures appeared on the north-east side of the mountain. One formed the crater from which the lava is pouring down, and is still erupting, though with diminishing force. The rate of the lava advance has been reduced to 20 metres an hour. The stream divided into several branches. Lava dust reached Taormina, where the ground is covered with fine black powder. Red hot cinders are strewn over the ground for miles. The stream of lava has reached to within one kilometre of Cerro, and it is feared it will reach Linguagosa during the night. The spectacle of the eruption is terrible. Menacing roarings follow each other frequently, and the rain of cinders is becoming more intense. The flight of peasants continues amid scenes of terror. The damage to the vineyards and cultivated lands is already estimated to amount to several million lire. WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN DESPAIR HAIL OF RED HOT STONES. PEASANTS LOSE HEAVILY. ROME, June 18. (Received June 19, 11.15 p.m.) The authorities have organised relief for the refugees. Everywhere women and children are weeping and on their knees, appealing to God and the Virgin Mary. A hail of red hot stones set fire to the vineyards in various directions, adding to the horror. As the disaster occurred at harvest time, the peasants lose their all. After a big explosion this morning, hot cinders were ejected in clouds. An asphyxiating atmosphere enveloped the district for more than ten miles around. At Linguagiosa a large stretch of the railway was destroyed by the burning lava. Catania and Messina are already overrengested with fugitives. Shelter is not available for thousands, who are coming from all directions. 30,000 HOMELESS. , ROME, June 18. (Received June 19, 10.5 p.m.i It is officially estimated that the number of homeless in the Etna area is 30,000. Catiglione is under dire threat and its 17,000 inhabitants are assembled and ready to flee at a warning from the outposts.