BULGARIAN CITIES HEAPS OF DEBRIS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20128, 23 April 1928, Page 7

BULGARIAN CITIES HEAPS OF DEBRIS

CONTINUATION OF MOST TERRIBLE EARTH SHOCKS IN EUROPEAN MEMORY SUPERSTITIOUS FACTIONS BLAME GOVERNMENT’S GOOD FRIDAY SESSION [ By Telegraph—Per Press Ajsn.—Copyiighv J Received April 22, 9.30 p.m. (A. & N.Z.) SOFIA, April 20. Details emerging from devastated Bulgaria show that it was the most terrible earthquake in European memory. There were 50 severe shocks to-day, making 150 in three days, and it is definitely established that 120 were killed and 100 injured. It is impossible to calculate the number beneath the ruins, while a census is difficult. A terrified population is scattered everywhere. Many have lose their reason and arc wandering demented about the countryside, while the entire population is victim of a panic, expecting the end of the world. Even the inhabitants of Sofia spnt the night in the parks and fields, refusing to return to their houses to-day. Historic Philippopolis is laid waste just as in 1818. Whole streets of houses have collapsed and in tho crash of masonry the principal streets are obliterated and the railway station is an unrecognisably mass of broken bricks and twisted rails. There was a terrible scene at the hospital. Frantic patients fought to reach windows while the building was rocking, and threw themselves to the ground. Many became insane and rushed into the streets shouting hysterically. Desolation is widespread. Fifteen towns, villages and hamlets disappeared in a mass of splintered debris. The ’quakes were accompanied by strange thunder below the earth, and a rustling, whistling sound in the air. People in the streets, as they were rushing for safety, were struck down by bricks and cornices from buildings. Fires broke out in Philippopolis, and soon gigantic flames were devouring the ruins. Quakes continued throughout the night at intervals of 15 minutes, sometimes with a swaying of earth, and other times with sharp shakes beneath tho feet. Fresh buildings collapsed with each shake. Public buildings, schools, workshops, factories and railway stations crashed amid the terrifying rumble, which gave way to the shrieks of the wounded and the dying. Panic stricken people everywhere poured through the streets in a human tide, sobbing and choking in the dust and smoke. At Papazli, a few miles distant from Philippopolis, 10 children were trapped in a burning school and incinerated. There was a terrible contrast at the village of Sotebelovo, where people escaped from homes only to be menaced by swirling waters from burst water mains. Railway connections at Philippopolis were thrown up like a toy line and another portion sank to a depth of two feet. A panic broke out among the prisoners at Zagora prison, and they made frantic attempts to escape. All kinds of strange phenomena accompanying the latest disturbances added horror. Huge chasms have appeared in fields and roadways, and in some cases are slowly closing again. Many are camping in motor cars, wagons and tents in the open spaces, and there are continual processions around the ruined outskirts, canting expiatory psalms and calling on all to repent of their sins. Tho King, Primo Minister, and members of the Cabinet are aiding in the relief which is greatly hampered by the general disorganisation of traffic. Paris, Constantinople, and Simplon expresses are unable to run, and there is a danger of famine in many districts which were short of food before tho shocks. The superstitious arc accusing the Government, saying that it challenged the Divine wrath by holding Parliamentary sessions on Good Friday. A later message from Sofia reports that a third series of the Bulgarian earthquake shocks has occurred, especially affecting a town 44 miles from Philippopolis named Haskovo, which largely escaped in the former shocks. The tremors continued all night, numerous houses being damaged. The population was already acmping out and esc aped.