EXPLOSION IN NAPLES

Grey River Argus, 3 April 1943, Page 5

EXPLOSION IN NAPLES

MANY DEAD AND INJURED. RUGBY, March 31. The Rome radio announced that 72 persons were killed and 1179 were injured .n an explosion v.t an ammunition depot qt Naples on Sunday. The victims included soldiers and civilians. In addition seven Germans were killed and 31 were injured. 'DEATH ROLL UNDERESTIMATED. LONDON, April 1. t Although Rome admitted only 72 fatalities in the Naples ammunition depot explosion, private sources assert at least that a number of servicemen were killed, while debris, which fell as far as a half-mile- distant, killed scores and injured hundreds. These sources, says a Berne message, claim that at least 400 were killed and 2000 injured. The centre ot Naples was wrecked, with of masonry strewn everywhere. Salvage gangs are working round the clock in an effort to clear the streets. Makeshift hospitals are filled to overflowing. Rescue squads are still digging for injured and dead. One report states that British and American soldiers were seen near an ammunition depot prior to the explosion. This report is npt confirmed but several people living nearby are stated to have oeen arrested for harbouring enemy airmen.