Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-06-19
INHABITANTS FLEE
COUNTRY IN PATH
Of ETVA ERUPTION
Relief Trains Rushed to Pam
ic-Stricken District as
Towns Are Destroyed by
Rushing Lava Flow

CATANIA, Sicily, June 1S.-Hurl-
ing thousands of tons of flaming
' lava high into the skies from its
main crater, while five new craters
are belching molten destruction with
reports like those of a thousand can
non, Mount Etna is in eruption and
has already destroyed five villages
= ard threatens a score of others.
A great wall of molten lava, thirty
to forty feet in height, slid over the
spot where the little town of Lingul
Ciossa had stood, and advanced in
q flaming line, 800 yards across upon
neighboring hamlets.
The village CT Boscoragate disap-
peared.
Two entire townships. Ferroppic-
colo and Pallameliata, were obliter-
ated by the advancing wall of lava.
Inhabitants of the threatened
towns, warned for days by rumblinSs
and mutterings of the great volcano.
. fled to safety in time; no casualties
have been reported, but roads are
clogged with rude carts and peasants
and their families staggering along
: beneath loads of household belong
inss, snatched from IN front Of the
fierv masses which inundated their
homes
The outpourings from Etna's old
and new craters are growing in vol
ume each hour.
Flames Leap From Craters
Now and then, great bursts of
flame shoot high above the inky
nall and flare against the sky, light
ing the haze with a ghastly red
glow.
At each demonstration of the
' awakening giantess, new flights are
begun by the terrified Sicilians.
The lava porrs down the mountain
sides and over the surrounding coun
try at terrific speed.
A line of railroad has gone under;
The station as Castiglione burst into
flames and then was buried in lava.
AS in the days of old Pompeii the
terror of the volcano has communl-
rated Itself to the countryside for
miles around. Cattle and sheep are
}eing driven in great herds
rom the direction OF Etna. The pop
Mace fills the streets Of nearb
towns, even Of those at a safe dis
lance.
No work is being done.
The eruption began at an early
hour Sunday morning with ter
rife explosion, as though the end
Of the world had come. The whole
whole top of Etna appeared to nave
{ blown off. Then followed rain Of
.Iava and ashes, which fell steadily
for many minutes after the blast.
The population of villages at the
foot of Mount Etna rushed from
their homes and gathered in the
streets, chattering eXcitedly.
Towns are Emptied
Women, with babies clasped to
heir breasts, rushed about hysteri-
ally. They sought aid in the
churches; many fell on their knees
and prayed. All about them fell
he lapilli and hot ashes while
lhick pail of impenetrable smoke
hung over their heads, so that they
could not see what threatened.
Castiglione and Lingua Glossa
= lay in the path of the destructive
d. masses. These towns uickly emQ-
led themselves Of inhabitants.
BY afternoon they were destroy
ID. Great clouds Of smoke seen by
The fleeing people who glanced over
heir shoulders told first of the de-
struction of the pine forests of
{ Lingua Glossa, then of the town
Itself. Then the lava reached the
railroad and the station was burn
I'd.
Darkness came on, but there was
no cessation of the lava's advance.
BY this time, people from all the
surrounding country were in flight.
Earth Shocks Felt
Just before midnight strong
earth shock WAS felt, adding its ter
rors to those of the eruption.
Houses trembled on their founda-
lions, and the roads along which
he inhabitants of the destroyed VII
ages were escaping rose and shook
beneath the despairing cavalcadeS.
A new mouth was seen to have
opened in the volcanoes side. 1t
VAS near spot named Mount
Nero, after the emperor of ancient
lays, and from this new hole the
most terrifying flow of lava came,
racing ahead of the other streams.
The perfect of Catania was in
,ormed of the disaster, and hurried
A 10 the vicinity of Lingua Glossa
lie was accompanied by d deputy
md by the local authorities. Later
Bishap Acireale arrived and gave
what comfort he could to the popu-
alton.
Relief trains were ordered out, to
proceed to the stricken district, and
:roops were dispatched to lend
What aid they could.
n AII.'