THE LONDON DISASTER

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 21, 24 January 1917, Page 5

THE LONDON DISASTER

100 DEAD, 650 INJURED, IiATEST OFFICIAL FIGURES, TXTLL XNQUXRV PROMISED. COMPENSATION AND RELIEF. (Auftrnliaa aod K.Z. Cable Association^ LONDON, January 23. It is believed in official circles that the death roll resulting from the destruction of a munitions factory in the east of London will not exceed 100. The number of those seriously injured is estimated at about 150, and the number of those who. sustained lesser injuries at 500. No doubt is felt that the tragedy was purely accidental, but the wildest rumours are current. It is estimated that the explosion broke glass in London worth £1,000. The force of the munitions factory explosion caused a great gasometer on the opposite side of the river, the largest in Europe, to cant sideways and then split opeu. Millions of cubic feet of gas shot up, and apparently were ignited high in the air by flaming, particles from the chemical factory. This produced an awe-inspiring spectacle. • Reports indicate that the explosion was heard 90 miles away. There were pathetic scenes at the inquest. The Coroner announced that he would not attempt an investigation . The evidence disclosed several extraordinary escapes. The Mayor of a London suburb states that there arc 1,000 persons homeless in the borough. The Government is prepared to do something to relieve distress The Minister of Munitions announces that all proper claims for injury and for damage to property will be met. The company has also promised to deal generously with compensation claims. The King has contributed £250, and Queen Mary and Queen Alexandra £100 each, for the relief of the sufferers by the explosion. The insurance companies assert that they are not liable for damage, although some may make compassionate allowances. (Beater , * Telegrams.) LONDON, January 23. Speaking at the Mansion House, Dr. C. Addison (Minister of Munitions) stated that a searching inquiry was being made into the cause of the explosion. Any. suggestions to prevent. a recurrence would be fearlessly adopted. He emphasised that there was no occasion for alarm as to risk of fire. OFFICIAL DEATH BOLL. NUMBERS RATHER REDUCED. 69 DEAD, 400 INJURED. j ' JHigb Commissioner's Cable.) ' .[(Received 11.35 a.m.)' J LONDON, January 23. 'An official report states that the total casualties from Friday's explosion are:— . Killed: 44 men, 11 women, 14 children. Seriously injured: 72. Slightly injured: 328. The list is believed to be complete, though some of those in hospital may die. DEPORTED FROM BRUSSELS. MANY WORKMEN TAKEN. UNDER GUARD OF MACHINE GUNS. ;■ (Australian and K.Z. Cable Association.) AMSTERDAM, January 23. The "Telegraaf" states that the deportations from Brussels commenced on Saturday. The majority of those depotted are workmen, including all the plumbers available. The railway station was guarded with machine guns, and motors with machine guns'patrolled the principal boulevards.

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