GREAT EARTHQUAKE IN SOUTHERN EUROPE.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2036, 28 February 1887, Page 2

GREAT EARTHQUAKE IN SOUTHERN EUROPE.

TERRIBLE LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY. London, February 23. Intelligence or a terrible nature has just been received from the South of Europe, which has been the ecene of a most destructive earthquake, spreading death and desolation in all directions. The news at present to hand is of a very vague description. The first intimation of the disaster oame from Nice, where two severe shocks of earthquake were experienced about 6 in the morning. The shocks were preceded by a sound as of distant tumbling, which seemed to grow in intensity until the earth trembled with terrible violence, the agitation increasing and culminating in a shook of calamitous force Half-naked people rushed from their houses into the streets, women and infants, attended by terrified children, hurried along screaming in chorus, imploring the Deity to protect them. Midst a scene of the wildest and in» describable disorder, a sudden and terrible termination was put to the earth’s agitation. The ground, which had apparently been receding from under the feet of those who were attempting to fly from the doom, was as by a magic spell, forced into tranquility, and the next instant the houses rooked and were torn as if by a mightly unseen force, and then fell to the ground, killing some and injuring a great many of the terror stricken people. Large crowds of visitors, who were staying in the town, of whom many were from England, have fled, but whether any of them were injured cannot yet be ascertained. The next news eame from Cnnues, where the shocks were tremendous and much damage done. The Prince of Wales was there on a visit. At Monaco rocks were split into atoms and pieces hurled a considerable distance. Some splinters were shot forth with meteoric force, rapidly wrecking the bouses or falling into the sea with deafening hiss. At Monte Carlo the people were frantic. At Genoa the people assembled in the streets and prayed with heartrending fervour. The town of Dianonarina is reported to be almost totally destroyed. Hundreds of people have been killed and wounded. The earthquake has extended through Northern Italy, doing great damage at Riviera and killing hundreds of people. Rohe, February 24. The earthquake experienced yesterday, in northern Italy has proved to have been an immense disaster. The town of Dianorina and several villages have been almost completely destroyed, and it is estimated that fully 1500 lives have been lost. AWFUL SCENE IN A PRISON. CONVICT BRUTALITY.

February 24. From Cervo, where there is a large penal establishment, a scene of unusual brutality and lawlessness is reported. The effect of the shock rendered the prison officials almost stupid, and maddened con riots into beastlike ferocity, and a few of the more daring spirits, seeing in the confusion an opportunity for revenge and possible escape, made an attack upon the officers. The example of these ruffians was speedily followed by the rest of the prisoners, and before the officials had time to concentrate themselves for defensive purposes they were overpowered by the convicts and treated to the greatest brutality. APPALLING SCENES AT NICE. THE TRAIN RUSHED. VESSELS CROWDED WITH REFUGEES The panic which reigned at Nice was something appalling. Many of the fugitives who fled from the place by rail were blocked awing to the landslips. The railway station it Nice was thronged with people waiting for ;he train to start to carry them away from What they considered a doomed city ; and although the railway officials again and again explained that it would be useless to attempt to ruu the train until the line bad been cleared, the excited throngs demanded to be taken as far as circumstances would permit. The town presented a remarkable sight at night, through the people, who would not stop in their houses, camping in the streets. Family groups, huddled together, prepared themselves to pass the night, while others hurrying through the thoroughfares screamed and raved in a semi-demented state* Those of the better class of the inhabitants laid siege to the vessels in harbor, and vied with each other in frautic bids for accommodation, fabulous prices being given for cabin accommodation. PANIC AT A CARNIVAL RALL. By later news from the distciot of Riviera, lomes word of a dreadful panic, several rersons being killed and many injured. The mildiug where the panic occurred was a averite resort of tourists, and on this occa-

■ion the last carnival ball was being bold, nd tbe place was crammed with American and English visitors. The dancers were just Jibont to leave the scene when the strange and ominous tumbling was heard, which proved the forerunner of death to many. ’ QUEEN VICTORIA DISTRESSED FOR HER SON. As soon as the Queen had been made aware of tbe calamity she was greatly distressed, and, although informed that the Prince was safe, could not be pacified. She at once wired to tbe Prince to ascertain tbe extent of the calamity, and begged to be reassured of his safety. The Government requested tbe Prince of Wales to return to England and allay the anxiety felt on his behalf. FLEEING TO CHURCH IN DESPAIR. THE BUILDING CRAMMED. THE REFUGEES SING AND PRAY. THE CHURCH COLLAPSES AND BURIES THREE HUNDRED. The worst news is that of a terrible calamity which has occurred at Bayards, where there is a large church. As soon as the shocks were lelt the people vonvded into the buiidiog, and Hie ti nted muss wedged themselves in, an i crammed it to Us very portals. A perfect babel eosned. Some otfared up prayer, while some chanted and others wept. It was not until some time after the supreme violence of the shocks had passed that the dreadful catastrophe happened, Almost without waruiug the building collapsed, and 300 persons are reported to have been instantly killed or severely wounded. RENEWAL OF THE SHOCKS, February ‘25. News baa just been receive i of a renewal >f the shocks, and au augment l ; rm of the panic which prevails in ail parts oi g>ithern Europe. The renewed shocks have been f It jwith great severity at lloutop, but no fresa disasters or fatalities have been repotted. At Savona, a town 24 miles S.W. of Genoa, a number of houses were wrecked and 11 persons killed, Tbe shocks were felt with great violence at Leghorn, Marseilles, Milan, Toulon, Avignon and Geneva. Northern Italy seems to have been the centre of the terrible visitation, and fifteen hundred people ate reported to have been killed. Any estimate must necessarily be incomplete, as it is impossible to say how mauy bodies may be lying beneath the falling buildings which strew (ha district. INHABITANTS OF A TOWN BURIED ALIVE. London, 25ih February. The number of victims has now bee.swelled to 2000 in Italy alone. Relief trains with provisions have be-m

| to to a the sr^^^^^^^^^wunded. At the At have leaves It is °t been leys high monntainofl^^^^^^B Febru^^^^H stated^^^^^Hho, would quakes on eohpsa^^^^H sun just taks^^^^^^B CAl^KrSwB February The elections the ists 16, Centre 47, Poles 4. The Alsatians^* caused a in Paris. general that the of the elections to the pres^H of peace Russia secretly inciting B It is alleged to oveß throw the Russian and establish a Republic has in St FetersJ burg. 4 1 The Admiralty armaments I completed for thirty Officers of the furlough, have been duty. It has transpired of European agents are horses in England for centres on the Continent. The Russian press is attacking Germany. a Fifty thousand quartered in Poland and Lithuania. The St Petersburg that Europe is rapidly approaohi^^Bataitrophe. Russia is feverishly war, and special steps are being the fortification of Poland. IB The French press are clamoßg tor a farther increase in the army, Beklin, February 84. The alliance between Germany, Italy and Austria has been renewed. Vienna, February 24. The Beiohsrath have unanimously voted credits for military purposes.