STRICKEN SICILY

Southland Times, Issue 20642, 14 November 1928, Page 7

STRICKEN SICILY

ETNA STILL ACTIVE LAVA STREAM NEARING CARRARA SHOWERS OF HOT STONES (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) Rome, November 12. Professor Ponte estimates that t Mount Etna has yet to disgorge twice as njuch lava as has hitherto swept the country. He regards the disaster as the worst since 1669 when it lasted nearly a year. Nunziata is now blotted out. A feature of the eruption is its electrical nature. On Saturday terrific explosions occurred among the clouds of cinders, followed by whirlwinds. A graphic picture of Etna’s desolation has been specially cabled to the Evening Standard, London, from Sicily. The disaster has rendered 5000 families homeless and has wiped out three towns and 760 houses. Two thousand seven hundred acres and seven years’ wine crop are withered. One of the world’s richest lemon tree valleys is buried. Bridges, railways and roads are overwhelmed. The eruption continues unabated and great clouds of smoke and fire are coming from the new crater far from the summit. A newspaper correspondent followed the lava stream for six miles, stopping a few hundred yards from the crater where intense heat brought him to a standstill. He says: ‘‘A smoke pall a mile high hangs over the crater and now and again a gigantic wall of fire sweeps skywards. The air is thick with small pellets and hot rocks. A red. wave spills over the edge and forces its way downward. Each gust adds thousands of tons to the stream which means that it progresses at least five yards further. After five hours’ walk I reached Mascali. Here there is a solid wall 100 feet high vertically across the one-time town square. Only seven houses are left. Meanwhile the stream is flowing on eastward of Mascali, the roar and smoke increasing as trees and isolated houses are devoured. Carraba is yet untouched although its doom is sealed. The lava is today on the outskirts, but it is with the utmost difficulty that the peasants can be induced to leave. ' The evacuation is a more pathetic sight than the desolation. It is impossible to forecast the cessation. Last night the crater was quieter, but today it is more active. The township of Giarre must be saved at all costs; happily the danger is not immediate. The stream will probably reach the sea and form a new headland just as the neighbouring headland was formed 4000 years ago.”—Australian Press Association.