The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-01-17
Thousands In
Quake Die
BY DAVID J. WILSON

UNITED Press STAN correspondent
Buenos Aires, ia. 17-(UP)-Doc-
tors, nurses and soldiers from all
over Argentina we're modified for
rescue work today and rushed to
provincial capital of San Juan, where
thousands were reported killed Sat-
urday night in what may have been
Argentina's worst earthquake dis
aster.
Everything you can send to help
us will be too little" David Uriburu,
federal aid official, telegraphed
from the devastated city, high in the
Andes. Nobody knows the magni-
tude Of what has happened here"
Early eyewitness and press re-
ports said as many as 10000 persons
lost their lives in the series OF
temblors which struck suddenly and
violently through is or more towns
within q 50-mile radius OF San
Juan, where 90 per cent OF the
buildings we're levelled.
First government figures, tele-
graphed to President Gen. Pedro
p. Ramirez OF Argentina by Interior
Minister Gen. Cesar Luis Perlinger
at San Juan, were more conserva-
tive, placing the number OF deaths
at 500 in that city. Perlinger said
800 were injured seriously in the
quakes and 1000 received lesser in
juries.
Reports from the city said San
Juan still was without light, power,
water, and telephone and telegraph
communications. Emergency med
ical operations were performed by
lamplight and fires were raging out
OF control because Of the lack OF
water. Roads within the city were
blocked by huge piles of twisted
walls and debris. An infantry col
umn of federal troops joined local
soldiers In digging for victims
trapped In the ruins and in stand
ing guard against pillage.
Up to 10 p. m. last night the
earthquake area still was being
shaken by intermittent mild tremors
All available trains and planes
were carrying food, clothing. med
zeal equipment and blood serum to
the area from Buenos Aires, Men,
doza, Cordoba and from across the
Andes in Chile. After an emer-
gency cabinet meeting late yester.
day, Ramirez and several of his
ministers were reported ready Il
leave for San Juan.
Reports from Mendoza quoted g
pilot who had shuttled medical
supplies from that town to Sar
Juan yesterday as saying the cas-.
ualties totaled about 10000 will
5000 injured persons treated a.
one hospital. The pilot reported
that the rubble- Uttered streets O.
the ancient capital were strewn witt
bodies, many Of which were covered
with sheets and surrounded Will
candles by the religious populace
Most of the 40 or so houses still
standing were in danger OF collaps.
ing under the continued ngh
tremors, he said.
Earlier dispatches to the Buenol
Aires newspapers Noticias Grahcal
and Critica placed the toll at be.
tween 1000 and $500.
Indications were that 1t was thu
most disastrous earthquake In Argen
tina's history. San Juan was de,
stroyed by a severe treblor in 1885,
but at that time the city was fal
smaller.
The first temblor, which was re.
ported to have caused most OF the
casualties. came Saturday at 8:4t
p. m, shaking houses In q broad bell
across thief whole continent ant
causing buildings as far away al
Montevideo to sway. Three more
heavy tremors were felt during the
night and early the next morning.