SEALED CITY

Southland Times, Issue 25302, 4 June 1935, Page 7

SEALED CITY

TROOPS IN QUETTA ANOTHER SHOCK FELT MARTIAL LAW (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, June 2. A further shock of 45 seconds’ duration was experienced at Quetta in the afternoon and the hills to the east and west were enveloped in an impenetrable cloud of dust. Many of the walls which had survived the previous earthquake were shaken to the ground. It is believed that only slight further damage has resulted since few buildings had remained after Friday’s earthquake. Complete control of the area is in the hands of the military, and martial law has been declared. Both British and Indian troops have been ceaselessly engaged in evacuating the living and bringing out the dead from the piles of wreckage, blowing up specified areas to prevent the spread of disease and organizing relief for thousands of Indian refugees. The military have now sealed the whole city as well as the railways. Five refugee trains left Quetta yesterday, and six had been arranged for to-day. The latest estimate of the British death roll puts the figure at 200, with a further 200 British residents injured. Il is still impossible to estimate accurately the native casualties, but unofficial figures vary between 20,000 and 30,000 for the whole of Baluchistan. It is stated that by last night soldiers had recovered 3000 bodies from the debris of Quetta alone. GALE AND SANDSTORMS RESCUE EFFORTS IMPEDED. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Calcutta, June 2. There were further minor earthquake shocks on Friday and a volcano was in eruption near Shihriga, a 3400feet peak in the Baroza range forty miles east of Quetta. Yesterday smoke and lava were still issuing from the volcano. Rescue efforts are being impeded by a sixty mile an hour gale and . sandstorms which are said to be the aftermath of the earthquake. It is now confirmed in R.A.F. quarters that the native city bore the brunt of the shock, but military quarters, where many thousands of British and Indian soldiers are quartered, escaped. They are now doing rescue work. ESTIMATE OF DAMAGE PLACED AT £2,250,000. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Quetta, June 2. The first estimate of the damage caused by the earthquake is placed at £2,250,000. Three thousand bodies have already been cremated. It is feared the mountain tribes will take advantage of the disaster and' swoop down and loot the towns, thougn it is likely the earthquake has also wrecked the tribal villages. Another shock at 2 p.m. to-day, lasting 45 seconds, again interrupted communications. RELIEF FUND OPENED VICEROY’S APPEAL. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 8.5 p.m.) Calcutta, June 3. Quetta reports state it is likely that the whole Indian bazaar in which many thousands are buried will be destroyed by explosives to ptevent an outbreak of disease. Ten thousand Indian survivors, including 4000 injured who were treated in the British military hospital, will possibly be evacuated shortly in view of the certain shortage of food and water. There are harrowing scenes of women digging in the wreckage of their homes for lost relatives. The Viceroy has opened a relief fund with a donation of £4OO and made a forceful appeal to the Princes and people to aid the sufferers.