BULGARIA’S PLIGHT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17947, 4 May 1928, Page 9

BULGARIA’S PLIGHT

Despair and Desolation

FIERCE CYCLONES FOLLOW SEVERE EARTHQUAKES.

TERROR-STRICKEN AND HOMELESS PEOPLE.

The first story of the widespread destruction caused by the recent convulsions of Nature in Bulgaria, is published by the special correspondent of a London Journal. \ Bulgaria has suffered immense material losses, and the people are suffering acutely in the wild weather following the destruction due to the most violent visitation of earthquakes within the memory of the country.

BULGARIA CALLS FOR AID. WORST CALAMITY IN COUNTRY’S HISTORY. (United Press Association —By ElActrie Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received May 3, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 2. The special correspondent of the “Daily Express,” who is the first British correspondent to arrive at Sofia, states that terrible devastation and distress still reign at Philippopolis and other centres. He describe!, it as easily the worst calamity that has befallen the country. In all, 400,000 are homeless, sheltering in gardens in the centre of the city and open fields on the outskirts, and sleeping in goods trucks.' Seven children Were 'born in the fields last night. Earth tremors continued up to to-night. The Prime Minister (M. Lapcheffe) was overjoyed to see the British correspondent, in order that the world could know for the first time the real magnitude of the national tragedy. The correspondent describes a motor journey of 250 miles through central and south-eastern Bulgaria. Everywhere there is the same story. Prosperous villages are an unrecogmisaljle.iqass.of ruins. Injured people are still suffering incredible agonies. The roadways are impassable for many miles, owing to floods. Great lakes were suddenly formed, swamping the ruins.

The most tragic of All is that in Philippopolis entire streets have been wiped out. Over 45,000 buildings were demolished, 8000 partly' destroyed, and 3000 uninhabitable. Others are erect, though split and moved from their site. Whole sides have been curiously lifted away. Not an hour bf the day passes without a fresh structure collapsing with a roar. Rain is still falling. All the civil functionaries have established offices under canvas. Supreme and criminal courts are working in tents. Hospitals are in tents. Dressing stations and dispensaries, flying the Red Cross flag, have been established at every street corner. A grave scarcity of doctors and nurses is adding to the horror. Although neighbouring countries promised to rush supplies, they are late in arriving. Bulgaria calls to the world for aid. TERRIFIC CYCLONE SWEEPS BULGARIA. PANIC-STRICKEN PEOPLE. (United Pres* Association—By Electrie Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received May 3, 5.5 p.m.) SOFIA, May 2. A terrific cyclone and a torrential downpour swept northern Bulgaria. The population, unnerved by the earthquakes, became . panic-stricken, and seventy were injured.