FRIGHTFUL BOILER EXPLOSION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 142, 17 June 1899, Page 5 (Supplement)

FRIGHTFUL BOILER EXPLOSION.

GHASTLY SCENES OP DEATH ON THE SCHELDT.

A Brussels communication to the English press, bearing the date of May 4, says —A terrible disaster occurred this morning on the Scheldt, at the hamlet or AUain, near Tournai. The boiler of tug exploded, and was driven through the air a distanco of 300 yards against a factory, crashing into the wall. The tug itself was sunk, as well as a boat lying close by. Seven persons are known to have lost their lives-four men, a woman, and two children.

The body of one of the victims was hurled into the garden of the factory with a leg missing, which was afterwards found on the other side of the river. Another was blown on to the roof or a house. A woman passing b>in a carriage 400 yards away was struck on the shoulder by some of the flying debris, and injured.

Up to the present three bodies have been discovered—those of the captain, the second mate, and a sailor. Three others are still at the bottom of the river. Singularly enough, the boat, which the barge was towing astern escaped injury altogether. Navigation on the Scheldt near the scene of the explosion is interrupted by the sunken boats and debris. Divers from Antwerp have been sent for to recover the missing bodies.