UNDER A CLOUD.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 119, 22 May 1928, Page 7

UNDER A CLOUD.

HAMBURG GASSED.

Phosgene Explosion Causes Havoc. SEVERAL DEATHS REPORTED. (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) (Received 9.30 a.m.) HAMBURG, May 21. A tank of phosgene gas exploded in the street last night and a great gas cloud settled in the neighbouring streets, "which were hurriedly evacuated. There were 30,000 people driven from their homes, however, and it is known that three deaths occurred, while 100 were taken to hospital. All are in danger of death. The Reichswehr was mobilised to assist the firemen in attempting to disperse the cloud with ammonia and all available gasmasks were commandeered. Further support was sent by special train from Berlin. DEADLY FUMES Enough To Wipe Out An Army. NOT ALLOWED UNDER TREATY. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 21. The Hamburg explosion, which was not loud and was not destructive, was immediately followed by a great volume of death-dealing fumes spreading over the city. The police and firemen, aided by ammonia, periodically struggled to the rescuc. Nine collapsed and died, while the fate of a great portion of the city is in the balance. The situation was saved by a merciful change of wind, which veered in such a manner as to blow the gas towards an isolated neighbourhood.

Heavy rainfall also helped to disperse the gas, but the danger was not considered past until this morning. Had the wind changed to the opposite direction towards the congested parts it is impossible to estimate 'the havoc the gas cloud would have caused. It is stated that there was sufficient gas to wipe out an army.

There is considerable discussion at present why a German firm was in possession of phosgene, which is forbidden in Germany by the Versailles Treaty.

Professor Haber, the most competent authority on poison gas, declared that it was only manufactured in Germany in the smallest quantities for dye purposes. It is one of the most dangerous. Half a gramme in one cubic feet of air was sufficient to kill. He is unable to understand where it came from, as it is stored by a limited number of firms under the greatest precautions.

The firm concerned alleged that it was old war material destined partly to destruction and partly for export to the United States.

It is now believed that eleven are dead.