The Explosion in Rome.

Evening Star, Issue 8529, 30 May 1891, Page 2

The Explosion in Rome.

A message dated Rome, April 23, Bays : About seven o'clock this morniug a tremendous explosion shook the city to its foundations, spreading terror and dißmay on all sides. The people rushed affrighted from their homes into the streets, hoasesrocked, pictures fell from the walls, thnvvsands of panes of glass were broken everywhere, crockery was shattered, furniture overturned, and chimneys crashed down upon the roofs, and in some instances toppfsd over into the streets below. The cupolas cm the Houses of Parliament, immediately after the explosion, shook violently, and thtts collapsed with a crash, which added still further to the feeling of terror. The scenes in the streets and in the houses after this fearful explosion have possibly never before been equalled during the history of modern Rome. All the thoroughfares were strews with brioks, stones, splinters, and other debris, hurled there by the force of the powerful concussion. In the houses, doors, windows, and cupboards were burst open, rents and cracks appeared in the walls, plaster fell from ceilings, and general desolation prevailed. In many instances people were thrown from their beds by the shook, and cries of terror filled the alias thousands of families rushed out into the streets. Parents with their children in their arms, and children leading aged parents, the younger helping the elder, all made for the streets, as if their only chance of safety depended upon their being able to reach the open air. The general opinion prevailed that Rome had been visited by au earthquake, and that a second shock might reduce the city to ruins. Many fell upon their knees and prayed aloud. Finally, when something like order was restored, the real cause of the explosion became known. It was discovered that the immense powder magazine at Pozzi Psntaleo, four kilometres from here, had exploded, and that it had caused enormous damage to the neighboring fort, which was filled with soldiers.

Reports which have reached here say that happily the officer in command of the fort heard a rumbling sound previous to the final explosion, and hastily ordered the soldiers to leave the fort. He succeeded thus io averting a terrible disaster. As it was, several peasants who were in the vi ;inity of the scene of the explosion were killed outright, and a number of others were more os less injured. King Humbert and the members of his Cabinet at once left for the scene ot the disaster. Around the rubs of the powder magazine and fort a cordon of troops was drawn, in order to keep back the crowds. All the houses within the radius of a kilometre from the scene of the explosion were seriously damaged. Two offioers were dangerously wounded, and fully 120 civilians have been takes to the different hospitals, suffering from wounds or bruises caused by the explosion, Ihe Vatican shook with the rest of the Roman buildings when the force of the explosion was felt, and several famous historical stained-glass windows in the old buildings were shattered. The full amount of damage is not known, but the losses were very severe. The interiors of many old palaces and churches have Buffered to a great extent,

Another report says five people were killed in addition to the large number of wounded already mentioned, and that forty small houses are reduced to ruiu by the explosion. An official report made in the Chamber of Deputies this afternoon says that seven persons were killed, forty-eight injured at the scene of the explosion, and about 200 persons in the city slightly hurt. There were 265 tons of powder in the magaz.ne. The explosion was purely accidental, and rumors that it was of anarchist origin are without foundation.