Earthquake Throes.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 18, 12 May 1914, Page 5

Earthquake Throes.

THE ROAR OF MT. ETNA.

SOME FEARFUL EXPERIENCES. IN THE DISTURBED CENTRE. By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) [United Prebb Association.! Rome, May H. The earthquake was undulatory and vortical, and was severest between Catania and Mangand, northwards to Acireale, although Linera, which was in the epi-centre of the disturbance, was completely destroyed. The relative fewness of its victims was due to the majority of the inhabitants being in the fields. Great damage is reported at Saniavenerina, Bongiardino, Pisano, Passapomo, Trecastagn, and Zafferana. Many sufferers have been conveyed to the hospitals. Acireale, the zone most affected, was thickly populated, the land being most fertile, and the vines growing spontaneously. THE DEAD AND DYING. Dozens of the extricated bodies were seen at intervals along the roads, some unrecognisable and badly crushed, many mangled and groaning piteously. Some of the victims who were buried alive could be heard invoking aid until their voices grew fainter, and then ceased.

THE WORK OF RESCUE. Rescuers found an old woman, terribly injured, and clasping the hand of her only son, who was dead and pinned in the debris.

Many of the survivors were dumbfounded. They wept, shouted, and prayed, and hampered courageous men in attempting to organise rescue parties. The maimed fugitives, chiefly old people, women, and children, were hurriedly entrained for Catania, but the trains were brought to a standstill owing to damage to the tracks. One tunnel elsewhere collapsed. The railway bridge connecting Linera and Santavenerina was precipitated into an abyss. Several hospitals, including that at Zerbati, were wrecked. Troops have been sent to reassure the inmates of a convict prison. wUo, mad with despair, tried to wrench open the barred windows and hatter the doors of their cells. Many fugitives from cafes and cinemas rushed to the shore and seized boats wherein they could pass the night. PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITY. Meanwhile, in the stricken districts, was to be seen the characteristic spectacle of nuns hurrying to and fro, never shrinking from the most revolting sights, soothing children, comforting women, binding wounds and helping the dying in their last moments.

Priests were busy bearing confessions and assiting the rescuers. Soldiers, firemen, police, private citizens, women, and even, children, were co-operating in every way possible, while the monasteries and convents opened their doors to orphans and others in distress. OMINOUS PORTENTS. SCENE OF TERROR AND CONFUSION. Earth rumblings had been noticed at Catania for several days, gaining in frequency and strength. The aspect of the volcano grew fiercer and more alarming. Suddenly a prolonged roar from Mount Etna was followed by the cutting off of the electric light. The electric power-houses shook and swayed, and a scene of terror and confusion followed. Fugitives from the slopes of Mount Etna brought the first tidings of the catastrophe. HEART-RENDING STORIES. Rescuers found an octagenarian woman, the sole survivor of a family of thirteen, at Bongiardino. Notwithstanding the soldiers’ advice, she insisted on re-entering her tottering heme in search of relatives, and returned bearing a baby still alive. She re-entered, saying that “It is worth risking old life if I only rescue my granchildren.” Then with a crash the falling masonry immediately entombed her.

A young man who was severely injured at Santa Maria Yergine, clung to his wife’s dead body, and could only bo separated when he fainted from loss of blood.

A flag-woman entrusted with the signalling on the railway near Acireale was severely injured by the fall of the signal box. Her two sons,obeyed her injunctions and rushed along the metals shouting and waving flags, stopped two trains, and averted a . disaster.

The old parish priest at Linera was seen sitting with bowed head outside the ruins of his domicile, having been bereft of his entire flock.

An aged grandfather, searching for his wife and two grandchildren, aged two and five years, found the three i.clinging together as if asleep, the children being held tightly in the grandmother’s arms, but all of them wore dead. THEORETICAL OPINIONS. (Received 9.0 a.m.) 1 Rome, May 11. Expert* at Oatania attributs the catastrophe la snb'sidwioe in a vast

subterranean cavern due to Mt. Etna’s activity. The disturbance was nearer the surface than that of 1908. Faber Alfani, of the Florence Observatory, also points out that the early shocks were faint, showing that the earthquake was not deep-seated, hsuea the area was restricted.