TERRIFIC EXPLOSION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 666, 6 May 1914, Page 5

TERRIFIC EXPLOSION.

IN BENDIGO MINE. SEVEN MINERS KILLED. By.TelegrapJx.—Press Association.—Copyrisirt Melbourne, Monday. The Great Extended Hustler mine in Bendigo waa the scen9 of an accident unparalleled in the history of Bendigo mining. Seven men were Lulled by the bursting of a temporary underground maga zins used for the storage of explosives, while several others were affected by the fumes. Tne killed are: — Leslie Martin. Mathew Forater. John Campbell. Herbert Thcmas. William Ryan. William Blair / Frederick Chinn. The explosion occurred at 10 o'clock last night while the afternoon Bhift was working. All the killed were at the 1053 ft level. The causa of the explosion will never be known, but it is beiieved thst one of tbs man visited the magazine and left a lighted candlu in it. The inspector of mines visited the scene of tbe disaster. He is of opinion that the men were well away from tha end *»here the explosion occurred.

The force of the explosion was so terrific that all were hurled a considerable distance. The bodies were teribly disfigured. The explosion broke the air pipss and released compressed air into the mine, which bad the effect of driving suffocating fumes dDwn the lower levels, where the miners were overcome.

These were safely brought to the surface and are progressing satisfactorily.