Severe Debris Flow and Flooding in Lichtenberg

Austrian Monarchy.

Lichtenberg, 7 June. Total ruin seems destined for the poor village of Lichtenberg. While the mass of sand and stones spreading far out onto the plain bears witness to the terrible devastation this village suffered two years ago, while through the untiring diligence of the stricken inhabitants individual plots have been reclaimed for cultivation, and work is proceeding very actively on the protective wall ordered by the authorities, yesterday evening at half past nine another indescribable misfortune befell poor Lichtenberg. Following a violent mountain thunderstorm, considerable fragments of wood and rock broke off from the friable mountain behind Lichtenberg into the stream flowing through the valley floor; laden with this debris, the water suddenly rushed down upon the poor village and the plots of land lying below it, striking for the most part precisely those spared by the inundation two years ago. On its devastating course, the raging element destroyed the mill alongside two other houses, tragically claiming the lives of 7 people and leaving several severely injured. Four bodies have already been recovered, while three remain missing at this hour.

Indescribable are the grief and misery of the poor people, who now have no other hope left than in eternal providence and the charity of compassionate people.