Nuns Perish In Lava

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 508, 10 November 1928, Page 1

Nuns Perish In Lava

OVERWHELMED WHILE PRAYING

Village Destroyed : Another Town Surrounded

(United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Received 1.45 p.m. ROME, Friday. FVO nuns were isolated on rocks by the lava stream which overwhelmed the village of Santa Venera. Their rescue was impossible. The whole population knelt within sight of them, praying fervently throughout their last agony, the nuns joining in until they disappeared beneath the molten mass. Santa Venera, situated in one of the most fertile valleys, is now destroyed. Its ancient tower 65 feet high, is the only thing visible, and it is swaying dangerously.

The main lava stream, which has been responsible for the widespread havoc, appears to be slowing down. Against this, however, a new crater has opened in the neighbourhood of Magazzeni. This is emitting quantities of liquid lava at a considerable initial speed. Experts hesitate to forecast the new strength of the new eruption. Confidence has been infused into the victims of the catastrophe by the announcement that the work of rebuilding the town of Mascali will commence forthwith at the expense of the Fascist Government. Mussolini has ordered that the moment the flow of lava ceases, a start is to be made on building 3,000 houses as the nucleus of a new Mascali.

By this means a repetition of the housing of the Messina victims in huts 21 years ago will be avoided. Many of these are still in existence. The damaged water supplies will also be repaired. So far the loss of land amounts to over 2,000 acres, valued at more than £250,000. Two branches of the lava streams are surrounding the town of Carabba, the centre of a prosperous agricultural and industrial district. Its one hope of salvation is that the laya will reach the sea and thus exhaust its destructiveness in a single channel. The Pope has forwarded £3OO sterling for a relief fund, together with a telegram expressing his grief at the disaster, and conveying the Apostolic benediction to comfort the unfortunates.