EXPLOSION IN MINE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 12, 15 January 1926, Page 7

EXPLOSION IN MINE.

105 MINERS ENTOMBED. PIT CATCHES FIRE. AN OKLAHOMA DISASTER. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) NEW YORK, January 14. A terrific explosion occurred in a coalmine at Wilburton, Oklahoma, to-day. As a result 105 miners were entombed. Little hope is held out for the rescue of the majority of the men in question. Some of the victims were still alive and were able to converse with the rescuers who entered the airshaft this morning. Most of the men, however, are believed to have been killed instantaneously. The only known survivors are eight rescuers who entered the airshaft this late this afternoon. They said they had seen the bodies of many of their comrades while they were working their way to the airshaft from which they were rescued. About 70 of the entombed miners are negroes. An outbreak of fire in the mine has added to the difficulties encountered by the rescuers who are still working in the hope of finding further survivors.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) NO HOPE FOR ANY. SIXTY-FIVE BODIES FOUND. NEW YORK, January 14. All hope for any of the miners who are still entombed as a result of the coalmines explosion at Wilburton has been abandoned. Sixty-five bodies have been located. The explosion was caused by gas. The total death-roll is over 90. — (Reuter.)