CITY DESTROYED BY ’QUAKE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20607, 22 December 1936, Page 9

CITY DESTROYED BY ’QUAKE

DISASTER IN SAN SALVADOR

VOLCANO IN VIOLENT ERUPTION

TERROR-STRICKEN PEOPLE FLEE FOR THEIR LIVES

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 21, 7.35 p.m.) SAN SALVADOR, December 20. San Vincente, a city with a 25,000 population In the lake region of San Salvador, 25 miles east of here, was virtually destroyed as the result of a combined earthquake and the eruption of the volcano San Vincente. Seven nearby villages were also razed. The first reports state that 200 persons are dead and 400 injured in San Vincente alone. Red Cross volunteer workers are busy digging the dead from ruined homes, and sending the wounded to San Salvador. The earthquake occurred in the middle of a night procession in honour of San Vincente’s patron Saint of the same name. The earthquake caused wild confusion. Electric lights ceased, lava descended and a cloud of dust covered the city. Houses crumbled. Many terrified survivors are fleeing from the district for fear of a second eruption, which is presaged by the continued activity of the volcano. RESCUE WORK ORGANISED EIGHT HUNDRED BELIEVED INJURED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received December 21, 9.55 pun.) SAN SALVADOR, December 21. The estimate of the Injured was raised to 800 on the return of President Martinex from a tour of inspection of the stricken area. The evacuation efforts are being rushed because of the fact that sulphur has contaminated all the water supplies at San Vincente, where suffering has been increased through the intense cold and a high wind. All available trains and automobiles are being used to carry the Injured to the hospitals, which are already crowded.