Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-01-09
TOWNS ARE WIPED OUT
Heavy Damage Was From Huge
Tidal Wave.
FIRE SWEEPS THE RUINS
italian King and Queen Go TO
SuCCOr Their Subjects.

Rome. Dec. 30.-One hundred thou
sand dead; Messina. in Sicily. and
Reggie and a score OF other towns In
southern Italy overwhelmed; the en-
tire Calabrian region laid waste; this
Is the earthquakes record so far as
is at present known from the reports
that are coming slowly into Rome on
account of the almost complete de-
struction of lines OF communication 10
the stricken places.
The death list In Messina ranges
from 10000 to $4,000: that OF Reggie.
which. with its adjacent villages. mum.
bered $4,000 people. includes almost
the entire population. At Palmi 1000
are reported dead; at Cassano. 1000:
at Cosenza, 500. and half OF the popu.
lation OF Bagbara. about 1000. The
Aonteleone region has been devas-
tated. and Riposto. Seminara, San Clio
Vanni, Scilla, Lazzaro and Cannitello
and all other communes and villages
bordering on the straits are IN ruins.
The king and queen of Italy are now
on their way 10 Messina, having sailed
from Naples aboard the battleship Wit.
torio Emmanuel. The pope has shown
the greatest distress at the calamity
and he himself was the first 10 con-
tribute sum amounting to $500 900
TO the relief OF the afflicted. British.
French and Russian warships are
steaming toward the south, and al
ready several OF the ships OF Great
Britain and Russia have reached
Sicily. Officers and men OF these ships
have performed heroic service in the
work OF rescue
Many Tourists Killed.
II is feared that many foreigners
have been killed. as a number OF the
hotels at Messina. and doubtless at
other places, were crowded with tour
lists. Little is known OF the fate OF the
diplomatic representatives OF the for
eign powers stationed at these posts.
although the Italian government is
using every effort TO relieve the anx-
iety felt on their account.
There is the gravest danger that a
pestilence will follow the destruction
OF the towns where, on account of the
vast havoc wrought, bodies will lie
unburied for days and weeks. Those
who escaped death, many OF whom are
badly injured, are making their way
by the thousands TO the nearest place
of refuge. Their sufferings even now
must be intense, as they are without
food or clothing.
Messina was shaken to ruins. and
flames burst forth TO complete the
W
untold numbers helplessIy plnioned be
meath fallen walls and broken tim
bers.
In the Calabrian district, which was
only beginning 10 recover from the
effects of the earthquake of 1905. Reg
gio was the center OF the earth's up
heaval. The seaport OF Reggie is re-
ported as no longer existing. and the
city proper is in ruins. The loss of life
on both sides of the strait and In
eastern Sicily was enormous.
Survivors Fleeing In All Directions.
Starving, bleeding from injuries and
almost insane from their terrifying e&-
periences, Messina's survivors are flee
ing in ali directions. The spectacle
presented by the ruined seaport is de
scribed as terrifying. Tumbling build
tngs both killed and mutilated. while
hundreds of the injured, imprisoned
n the wreckage. were abandoned to
their fate by the fleeing popuIace. One
or those who escaped said: THE earth
seemed suddenly to drop ana then
turn violently on It's axis. The whole
population, who practically were pre-
cipitated from the houses rent in |
twain, were spun around like tops as
they ran through the streets. Many
fell crushed to death, and others, be-
wiidered, took refuge for breath be |
side the lettering walls. where they
soon met the fate of their compan- |
IONS"
Already British and Russian squad |
rons have arrived at Messina. Sailors
and marines have been disembarked
and they have performed cofrageo,,a