152 Syrians Die In Cinema Fire

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29363, 16 November 1960, Page 17

152 Syrians Die In Cinema Fire

DAMASCUS, November 14. About 152 persons, including many children, were killed when a cinema collapsed in flames in northern Syria last night, it was officially reported today. Twenty others were seriously injured.

There was a flash of flame from the projection room and then fire broke out as the audience watched a special programme for children.

Rescue work went on throughout last night and today, but details of the tragedy were still scarce early tonight. An official statement said the fire was caused by an explosion in the projection room.

The Syrian executive council

decided, after an emergency meeting, to allocate 150,000 Syrian » pounds (about £15,000) as urgent financial aid to victims. Fire brigades from nearby towns rushed to Amuda, which is opposite the Turkish frontier. It was described as the worst

fire disaster in Syria in memory. Fire-fighters were reported to ♦have battled the blaze for several hours before they gained control. Reports from the scene said the fire plunged the entire town into

mourning. It affected nearly every family in Amuda. All the victims were buried in a mass funeral today. The U.A.R.-Syrian Executive Council of Ministers announced the fire was a “tragedy for every home throughout the U.A.R.” A four-man medical mission with a mobile clinic and nurses were flown to Amuda to treat the injured. Rescue work is oeing carried out by Army fir<jt aid squads, the Red Crescent, and civil defence men.