Fatal explosion in tunnel

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32788, 13 December 1971, Page 17

Fatal explosion in tunnel

(N.Z.PA.-Reuter— Copyright) PORT HURON (Michigan), t December 12. Seventeen workmen died when an explosion, believed to have been caused by leaking gas, shattered a water-supply tunnel deep under Lake Huron yesterday.

Another 21 men crawled or were carried to safety; 10 of them were reported to be injured seriously. Rescue workers, including two doctors, managed to crawl through a tiny opening leading to sections of the collapsed 12-foot high shaft where some of the men were trapped, 250 feet below the lake surface. But they had to return to the surface again—leaving the 17 bodies behind—because of toe danger of more explosions. Officials said that all 36

men working in toe tunnel at the tone of toe explosion were accounted for. Attempts to recover the dead would be made later. The tunnel, which runs five miles out beneath Lake Huron, is being built to bring water from the lake to Detroit.

Reports said that toe explosion occurred about one mile from toe entrance to the tunnel. An acetylene torch apparently ignited a cloud of leaking gas. The force of the explosion tossed heavy equipment about, hurled a 15-ton piece of machinery 40 feet, and blew corrugated iron air ducting to toe surface.