AMMUNITION TRAIN BLOWN UP

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3289, 8 March 1926, Page 9

AMMUNITION TRAIN BLOWN UP

Indescribable Panic in Bohemia INVESTIGATIONS MAY REVEAL PLOT [By Electric CabF—ICopyright.] 1 Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Sunday, 7.5 p.m.) PRAGUE, March G... While in the main street of Prague, at tho crowded lunch hour, a waggon lully-loaded with ammunition and guarded hy lit 6 soldiers, blew up. Indescribable panic ensued, and when the smoke cleared it wsa found that many Pad been killed and injured. Several houses were demolished. The transport consisted of five wagons, laden with artiileiy explosives. Tho explosion was tho result of a box of hand-grenades falling to the ground, setting off the entire transpprt, and was heard fifteen miles away. Two soldiers were blown to atoms and one was hurled through a thirdStorey window. It is difficult to obtain an accurate estimate of the dead, owing !to confusion, but it is believed a hundred were injured. Glass, stones, bricks and masonry were scattered over a wide Urea, and there was hardly a window not broken. Shrelks of agony were heard from houses as well as streets ,and hospitals were soon filled with victims, some whereof lost both legs. Horses shockingly maimed, dashed wildly through the panic-stricken crowds, and had to bo caught and shot. Pedestrians were seen running through tho streets with torn clothing and blood streaming. The whole oity la seething with excitement and crowds aro enraged because the munitions arc alleged to have been transported in unprotected wagons. Tho police report they arc investigating the possibility of a plot. High officials rushed to the scene. CASUALTIES UNDERESTIMATED. (Received Sunday, 9.15 p.m.) PRAGUE, March G. Despite tho. low figure issued, the authorities believe that over twenty were killed and a hundred injured in the munitions explosion.