AWFUL EXPERIENCES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 116, 18 May 1932, Page 7

AWFUL EXPERIENCES.

"Confusion and Panic Aboard

Were Indescribable."

AGONIES OF PASSENGERS,

(Received 1.30 p.m.)

ADEN, May 17.

The passengers relate awful experiences in one of the most extraordinary sea tragedies of recent times. The fire, which broke out in an empty cabin, had such a firm hold before it was discovered that all the chemical extinguishers and hoses were inadequate. It is feared that the occupant! of neighbouring cabins perished in the flames which devastated a wide area, including the •wireless room before an S.O.S. could be sent out.

The first message concerning the catastrophe was sent by the Contractor, which saw the flames from a distance of 35 miles. The confusion and panic were indescribable- when the passengers were aroused and told to make their way forward through t'aa smoke. Sparks from the flames resulted in the destruction of a number of the lifeboats, which rendered it impossible for the passengers to take their boat drill positions.

Consequently husfcands were separated from their wives and children from their parents. There were increasing agonies and apprehension because the Sovietskaia was prevented from approaching owing to the latter's explosive cargo, but 420 of the passengers and crew were ferried to the rescue ship on rafts, which were plentiful, or were rescued from the sea into which they jumped.

The Contractor arrived three hours later and found the survivors in peril grouped on the forequarter of the Georges Philippar. There -were scenes of anguish at Aden pier when the survivors on both the Contractor and the Mahsud searchedfor their relatives. A mother thus united •with her two daughters was almost delirious with joy as others were disappointed, but are still hoping their lost ones are aboard the Andre Lebon.

Those rescued include a child with a baby in her arms, both having lost their parents. Mr. Juatice Louis Alfred, Chief Justice of Indo-China, and his wife had remarkable escapes. They were trapped in their cabin, almost surrounded by flames through which Mr. Justice Alfred fought his way, lowered an overcoat to the porthole of the cabin, and pulled his wife to safety, but a daughter and son-in-law are missing.