HAMBURG GASSED.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 22 May 1928, Page 5

HAMBURG GASSED.

THIRTY THOUSAND DRIVEN PROM HOMES. HOSPITALS AND FIREMEN BUSY. “—•— & (By Telegraph-Press Assn .-Copyright.) (Australian Press Assn, and Sun.) (Received This Day, 8.45 a.m.) BERLIN, May 21. A tank of phosgene gas exploded in a street at Hamburg last night, and a great gas cloud settled in the neighr bouring streets, which were hurriedly evacuated. Thirty thousand people word driven from their homes. It is known that are dead, and a -,. ■ hundred have been sent to hospital, all being in danger of death. The; Beichswblir has been mobilised to assist the firemen who are attempting to disperse the cloud with ammohia. All available gas-masks were commandeered, and further support was sent by a special train from Berlin.

CHANGE OF WIND AVERTS © DISASTER.

HEROIC RESCUE STRUGGLE BY POLICE AND FIREMEN. *

(By Telegraph-Press Assn.-Copyright.) (Received This Day, 12,30 p.m.) LONDON, May 21. , The Hamburg explosion, which was not loud and not desructive, was immediately followed by a great volume off death dealing fumes spreading over the city. The police and firemen, aid- • ed by ammonia heroically struggled to the rescue. Nine collapsed and died. While the JEate of a great portion of the city was in the balance, the situation was saved by a merciful change of wind which veered in such a manner as to blow the gas towards an isolated neighbourhood. Heavy rainfhll also helped to disperse the gas, but the danger was not considered past until this morning. Had the wind changed to the opposite direction towards the congested parts It is impossible t 0 estimate the jhavoe the gas cloud would have caused. It is stated was sufficient gas to wipe out an array. There is considerable discussion at present why a German firm was in possession 'of phosgene which' is forbidden to Germany by the Versailles treaty. Professor Haber, a most competent authority on poison gas, declares it is -only manufactured in Germany in the smallest quantities for dye purposes and is one of the most dangerous; half a gramme ’in one cubic foot of air was ‘sufficient to kill. -He is unable to_ understand where it came from as it is stored in a limited number of firms ■ under the greatest precautions. The firm concerned alleged it was old Avar material destined partly to destruction and partly , for export to the United ■States.

It is now believed that eleven are 4ead.