The Terrible Earthquake.

Thames Star, Volume XLV, Issue 10631, 3 February 1909, Page 3

The Terrible Earthquake.

«Ai GiRAMC ACCOUNT.

FEARiFTJL &GBNIE&.

FLOOD FOLLOWED' BY i.-"J!BE.

(Per United Press Association.)

FREMAjNOTjEI, February 3

A survivor gives a graphic account of the destruction, of^ tibe beautiful sea front of Messina., called the Palazzata> owing: to itsi numerous palaces. A terrible detonation, was in, the early morning and there was a violent convulsion of tho sea. The land shook men and things, and the sea seemed to be withdrawn). Ships were thrown against each other. The sea with a terrific roar I'm® several lnebi'e's and fell again like a. monstrous liquid avalanche, spreading ruin, along the harbour front and destroying palaces. Thousands of people surprised in their slcop' Were buried under the trembling walls and roofs.

A silence like death was followed by at- first shrieks of the wounded. Then suddenly pillars of flame/blazed out from the brckrTi gas mains', raging through the ruins and putting a frightful end to the agony of many poor creatures ajghast with terror. A few purrvivors tried to escape, but the old familiar wa£B were gone, there were no more streets, and th'erto was a chnos of bricks, beams, iron, and wood.