Natural disasters

Several people were walking along when suddenly tons of earth came crashing down the hillside and blocked the road in front of them.

Over 50,000 people in Ethiopia have died of starvation in the past month. Questions are
being asked concerning the delay in supplies of rice and grain which were recently sent to them.

The winds have already strengthened considerably and the sea is now very rough indeed. As a result, ferries across the harbour have stopped sailing and all large ships have put out to sea.

The river overflowed in several places and huge areas of farming land are now several feet under water. Boats are ready to rescue people in nearby villages.

Suddenly the ground shook beneath out feet and the tall building opposite the college began to sway2. Windows and doors rattled and several bookcases in the college library came crashing down.

Tankers full of water were sent, but it was too late to save many of the animals and crops there. The whole area was like a vast desert.

Smoke poured out of the crater but no one expected an eruption. A week later, however, a red hot lava began to flow down the side of the mountain.

It swept onwards, covering everything on its path. The travellers had to get off their camels and lie down until it had eventually passed.

Flames swept through the block of offi ce, burning everything inside. Two hours later only an empty shell of the building remained.

It must have been at least twenty feet high as it swept towards the shore. In a few seconds it destroyed all the houses on its way, drowning everyone inside.