Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-12-04
Promises Money Aid to Repair
Losses Estimated at 2OO,-
100000 Lire-Dead Number
Over. 6OO-Whole Families
Missing-Valley Is Miles in
Extent Submerged-Hurry-
ing Relief Measures

Bergamo, Italy, Dec, (By A P.)-
King Victor Emmanuel is now at the
scene of the disaster which has laid
waste the valleys for many miles
around Bergamo. Despite the rain
and cold and terrible conditions of
the terrain. the king insisted upon
making as extensive an inspection as
possible. He was accompanied by
deputies Carnazza, Bonarid and Far
inacci, and left nothing undone to
inspire hope in the survivors. He
promised ample assistance to repair
the vast losses, which are estimated
at 200,000,000 lire.
The king visited as far as he was
able the ruined villages, and talked
with some of the injured in the hos
pitfalls. Stopping where the village Of
Gonna once stood, the king was soon
surrounded by peasants, mountaineers
and farmers, who gave him hearty
welcome, their cries of Viva, being
in strange contrast to the deSolation
of the scene.
Victor Emmanuel climbed over
great mountains of debris and finally
came upon the gorge where the
Dezzo torrent drops into the Oglio
River, and from here he was able
to realize the immensely of the dis
aster.
The list of dead numbers more than
600, according to latest available
figures.
At Coler, which forms part of
Dezzo. there are only five survivors
out of IL inhabitants. At Gonna, $50
perished; at Dezzo 129; at Bueggio
IA; at another small village seven,
while the various electric stations
lost sixty men.
Whole families are still missing
and in many cases several members
of individual families: therefore the
casualty list has not been completed.
Already 200 dead have BEEN taken
from the mud which the flood left in
it's wake.
"How many have you lost in your
family" is a common question OK
changed among the inhabitants of
the valley, and five. or six, is the
number given generally in reply. 1t
was comparatively early in the morn
ing when the great dixie guarding
Gleno Lake broke and the sweep of
the waters caught hundreds while
they were still abed. The searchers
have found many of the dead thrown
up against the foundation walls of
their houses while thirty-five were
found against the foundation of the
church Most of these were so dis
figured as to be unrecognizahle.
The telephone operator at MAJ
yuma, who was on duty in the electric
light station, ordered his wife and
children to take refuge on higher
ground while he kept his post.
warning the Inhabitants down the
valley of the danger that was about
to overwhelm them. He remained
on duty until the water swept the
station away and he was lost in the
flood.
Great activity prevailed through
out the valley today, military cam
cons, automobiles. carriages and
every kind of conveyance being uti-
LIKED to transport clothing, food and
tents for the survivors. A far reach
ing search is being made for those
who persisted. for the submerged val
ley is Is miles in extent and the
force of the waters was so powerful
that even parts of the dam itself
We're carried down to the village of
Lovere. at the head of Lake Iseo.
The soldiers have built barracks
along the valley and in this way
many of the refugees, who were
forced to sleep out of doors last
night, have been taken care of.