earthquake which claimed at least 34 lives.

Mr. Walter Mutzke, brother of coin and antique dealer Mr. Richard Mutzke, was in hospital in Santa Monica when the tremor struck.

The 68-year-old was recovering from a leg operation on the sixth floor when the quake shook the building.

Yesterday he called his brother in Bermuda to assure him he was safe -- and being cared for by warm-hearted Californians.

"He said it was very scary,'' Mr. Richard Mutzke told The Royal Gazette .

"They didn't know what had happened.

"They tried to evacuate the hospital and get patients back to their homes.

"My brother's place is near the sea front in Santa Monica. But it was damaged and he couldn't get in.'' Belongings like TV sets and phones were scattered on floors in the apartment building, he said.

"They wouldn't let him stay there until it had been declared safe. "But two doctors from the hospital, a husband and wife, took him home to stay with them for a while, until things quieten down a bit.

"They want him to stay there until everything is all right.'' Mr. Mutzke said his brother, now retired, had lived in California for more than 25 years.

"He's seen a few of these quakes. But this was the worst he's seen. "He saw the fires a few months ago, and the riots. He also saw the riots in Watts about 25 years ago.'' Yesterday Californians were counting the cost of the disaster as a big clear-up operation continued.

Insurers believe more than $7 billion property damage was caused, beating the record set by the 1989 San Francisco quake.

Monday's quake ensnared several Bermudians and people who live on the Island.

Among them was Mrs. Priscilla Brown, who lives in Bermuda with her husband Shadow Youth Minister Dr. Ewart Brown.

Mrs. Brown was in California, where the couple also have a home, when the quake struck.

She described a scene of mayhem when the tremor began at about 4.30 a.m.

"I sat in my bed and prayed.'' Others told how burglar and car alarms, and emergency sirens blended into a constant wail.

The quake turned freeways into rubble, demolished buildings, and ignited fires. Hundreds were injured.

Meanwhile, the Salvation Army has rallied to help quake victims.

It has sent seven mobile canteens to the area, and an emergency shelter has been set up in the San Fernando Corps facility.