The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-06-18
TONS OF LAVA
HURLED FROM
MOUNT ETNA!
Wall of Flaming Destruction Pours
From Erupting Peak; Scores of
Villages in Path; People Flee


five new craters bechng molten destruction with
ports like those of thousand cannon Mount Etna is in
eruption and already has destroyed five villages and threat
ems of others.
great wall of molten lava 80 to 40 in height slid
oyer the spot where the little town of Lngua Glossa had
stood and advanced in a flaming line 300 yards across
upon neghborng hamets. The village of Boscoragate dis
appeared
Three entire townships Ferro Piccoo and Palamellata
were obiterated by the advancing wall of lava.
INHABITANTS STAGGER UNDER
LOADS AS THEY FLEE HOMES
Inhabitants of the threatened towns, warned for days
by rumbngs and mutterngs of the great volcano fled to
safety IN time. No casualties have been reported but
roads are cogged with rude carts and peasants and their
families staggering along beneath loads of household be-
ongngs snatched from in front of the fiery masses that
inundated their homes.
in volume each hour
Now and then great bursts of flame shoot high above
the lnky pail and flare against the sky lighting the haze
with CHASTITY red glow
AT each demonstration of the awakening giantess
new w, flights are begun by the terrified sicians
surrounding country at terrific speed.
line of railroad has gone under; the station of Castig
lone burst into flames and then was burned in lava
As in the days of old Pompe the terror of the volcano
has communicated itself to the country side for miles
around Cattle and sheep are being driven in great herds
from the direction of Etna The popuace fills the streets
OF nearby towns even OF those at safe distance No work
is being done.
EXPLOSION SOUNDS LIKE END
OF WORLD TO TERRIFIED PEOPLE
The eruption began at an early hour Sunday morning
with terrific explosion tho the end of the world had
come Inc Whole top OF Etha appeared blown off
Then followed rain of lapii 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
ering excitedly. Women with babies casped to their
breasts rushed about Historically They sought aid in
the churches many fell on their knees and prayed All
about them fell the apl and hot ashes while thick pail
mpenerabe smoke hung their heads that they
could not what threatened.
Castigione and Lingua Gossa lay in the path of de-
structve These towns quickly emped themselves
of inhabitants.
By afternoon they were destroyed. Great clouds of
smoke by the fleeing people who glanced over their
shoulders told first of the destruction of the pine forests
of Lingua Glossa.
Then the reached the railroad and the station was
EARTHQUAKE SHOCK ADDS TO
TERROR OF ERUPTION BLASTS
Darkness but there cessation of the lavas
advance BY this time people from all the surrounding co
try in flight.
Just before midnight strong earth shock was felt adding
its terrors to those of the eruption
Houses rembd their foundations and the roads along
which the inhabitants of the destroyed villages were es
Gaping and shook beneath the despairng cavacades
4 A mouth to have opened in the VOLCANOES
side 1t spot named Mount Nero after the en-
peror of ancient days. from this new hole the most fer
rfyng flow of lava racing ahead of the other streams
The project of Caana informed of the disaster and
hurried to the vicinity of Lngua Gossa He was accom-
panied by deputy and by the local authorities Later
Bishop Ccreae arrived and what comfort he could to
the population.
Relief trains ordered proceed to the stricken
district and troops dispatched lend what aid they
could
Advancing reenessy at speed of about $50 yards an
hour the molten stream split into number of branches
which poured down Slopes sparng property on
high ground Indications contrary to first reports were
that part of the town of Lngua Gossa might be saved
continued lava stream pouring in ON the fiery
eddies of the first and the whole district reported bv
the project who was on the spot to be in the greatest
peril
Damages reported to be enormous, loss in property
almost inestimable.
4 Relief work was pushed fast as possible in the
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