AN ISLAND WIPED OUT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13337, 28 March 1911, Page 3

AN ISLAND WIPED OUT.

TERRIBLE VOLCANIC ERUPTION

Only a Singed Monkey Left

BRISBANE,, March 20

Dr Hciser, cliiof medical officer at Manila, who is a passenger by-the Prinz Sigismund, which arrived to-day, speaking to' a representative of the Sydney Daily Telegraph of the recent volcanic eruption on the island of Taal, near Luzon, said the outbreak was the most serious experienced in the Phillipines for many years. The explosion was audible for a distance of 250 miles. Molten metal and red hot ashes were hurled into the air a tr-emen dons height, and the villages in Die neighbourhood were overwhelmed. Tin eruption was followed,by a tidal wave, which swept six miles inland in a south-westerly course, devastating the. country. As soon as the seat of the outbreak >vas ascertained ships with medical and other assistance wore despatched from Manila, but On arrival it was found that assistance was not required, as the inhabitants had been exterminated. The only living thing found on the island was a ■ small mOhkey with a singed coat. All the bodies, numbering about 1500, that had been recovered were completely naked. The seismic wave travelled towards Lemery, a- town of about 5000 inhabitants, and all the country around Lemery subsided to a depth of Oft, causing-great damage and terror amongst the people.