A GREAT DISASTER.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 100, 28 April 1888, Page 8 (Supplement)

A GREAT DISASTER.

MANY LIVES LOST AT A KULL. F2GIST.

Cincinnati, April 4. A special from the City of Mexico says : — The " Two Republics " published the following advices from Celaya : Sunday atternoon about 4.45 o'clock the building of Celaya was crowded with spectators of the general national sporfe A company of bullfighters from Leon was still playing with the first bull, when fire suddenly broke out on the fashionable side of the plaza. A panic seized upon the vast assemblage, and a frightful catastrophe was the result. The plaza was constructed of wooden masts, reeds, etc., and it was due to this fact that the majority escaped without injury, being able to force an opening to permit an exit at different points, but many women and children jumped from the top, a distance of 200 to 300 feet, and over 100 persons were seriously wounded. Eighteen lives were lost. The sides of tho pla;:a being lined with matting as dry as tinder, and there being a slignt wind blowing, the amphitheatre was in a blaze in a few seconds.

Nine dead bodies, in some cases so charred a3 to be unrecognisable, were taken from the ruins, and nine persons were so badly burned that they died in a few hours. Sixty-eight persons were very badly burned, and at least ten of them will die this week. Fifty persons in escapjing were knocked down and trampled upon '■\>y the panic-striken throng, and are very

seriously but nob fatally injured. The bulls, maddened by the roaring ot the i flames, broke loose from their stalls and. rushed wildly through the surging mass or humanity, tossing aloft and knocking over all who stood in their way. Among the eighteen dead -were two women who were iirsti gored to death by the bulls and their bodies afterwards burned. The scenes in the neighbourhood of the bull ring were sickening beyond description. Women and children divested^ of their clothing and crazed with suffering from their burns ran aimlessly through the streets and could scarcely be overtaken or collected by their, friends. Several persons lost their reason from the severe mental shock to which they were subjected. Tho fire was incendiary. In the Celaya gaol were a number of prisoners, army deserters, etc., who had obtained permission from the authorities to attend the bull-fight. They wore accompanied by a strong guard of soldiers to prevent their escape, but one of the deserters surreptitiously struck a match and lighted one of the dry pttates. In an instant the " sol " side of the ring was ablaze. In the confusion and excitement the prisoners succeeded in making good their tseupe, taking chances to effect their ends. The meat society of Colaya was in attendance. It was Easter Sunday, the return of tho season of gayety after Lent. Therewas an unusual number of ladies and little children present, and these were the sufferers. No man lost his life. The helpless little ones and their mothers, who would not desert their offspring, were the victims of the appalling catastrophe. Celuya is m mourning to-day. On every side are heard the sounds of wailing for loved ones dead, dying or suffering. It is tho maddest tragedy that has occurred in the three centuries of the city's history.