Severe Storm Disaster in Gratsch and Allgund

Daily report.

Bozen, 8 July. A terrible storm devastated the area of Gratsch and Allgund last night. Regarding the incident, in which the loss of human lives is unfortunately also to be mourned, we take the following from a private letter kindly communicated to us.

Yesterday evening at half past six, a dreadful cloudburst with hailstorms broke over the mountains above Allgund; the Grabbach, swelling into a torrential surge, soon caused the most frightful devastation. No retaining wall, no house could resist the force of the water laden with boulders and trees. The old poorhouse and the old Strutzer house lie buried in debris; the dwelling house, stable, and barn of Steinhuber stand no longer. The finest, most fertile estates are inundated by the debris flow and covered with massive boulders; from the Tschaup mill to beyond the highway, the vineyards and meadows lie desolate. An elderly woman was buried beneath the ruins of the poorhouse.

A second cloudburst, which discharged at midnight in the mountains above St. Peter, sent the devastating torrent towards Gratsch; near the house of Johann Kircher, the well-known marksman, the debris flow seemed to have halted; Kircher's people, who had continually fought the torrent, believed it had taken another direction and went home. They were soon to be terribly disappointed. After a few minutes a crash followed, and the owner, rushing to the door where the rolling flood already blocked his way, had only enough time to hurry back crying: "Pray, we are lost," as under the onslaught of the debris flow the house collapsed, burying the 12 people inside beneath the rubble. Of these, the owner Joh. Kircher saved himself through his own efforts; his farmhand and two sisters were dug out alive, the latter, however, severely injured. The elderly mother and three daughters were dug out dead. Missing are two brothers of the owner, the mother's brother, and a journeyman carpenter working there. (According to newer reports, there is still certainty of their lives and hope of saving them.)

The disaster is heartbreaking. Gratsch is devastated beyond recognition.*)

*) The editorial staff calls upon all noble-minded humanitarians for charitable contributions for the unfortunate victims and declares its readiness to accept them and forward them to their destination.