Death Toll At Mine Now 287

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29744, 10 February 1962, Page 11

Death Toll At Mine Now 287

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

SAARBRUECKEN, February 9.

The worst coal mine disaster ever to hit the German Saarland took 287 lives, officials said today, in reporting that five additional bodies had been found in the explosion-wrecked Luisenthal mine.

A spokesman for the Saar Mining Authority said about 10 miners were still missing, but hope had been abandoned of finding any more survivors.

Only a few relatives of men believed still buried in the mine maintained their vigil at the gates of the mining company, reported the Associated Press.

The spokesman said 62 of the miners were still in hospital and 16 had been released.

The search for the bodies of the missing miners was continuing at the site of 'the tragedy, which occurred 1800 feet underground, the spokesman said. Help Offered

East Germany has offered technical assistance, medicines and rest cares for the injured in the disaster, the East German news agency, A.D.N, reported. The offer was made in a telegram of sympathy from the East German Prime Minister (Mr Grotewohl).

Offers of money have come in from the European Coal and Steel Community, the West German Federation of Labour, the Union of Whitecollar Workers, the State Government of the Saarland and North Rhine-Westphalia, and other sources.

Pope John has asked the Apostolic Nuncio in Germany to express his sympathy to the families of the victims and has ordered a sum of

money to be given to the families.

From Wellington, the New Zealand Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) has sent the following message to Dr. Konrad Adenauer, Chancellor of West Germany: "The Government and people of New Zealand have been profoundly distressed to learn of the disaster at Saarbruecken and I would ask you to convey our heartfelt sympathy to all who have suffered in this tragic accident”