Hundred Men Entombed in Welsh Mine

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 223, 24 September 1934, Page 7

Hundred Men Entombed in Welsh Mine

Explosion Followed by Great Burst of Flame

Gravest Fears Entertained For Safety

United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Sunday, 7 p.m. LONDON, Sept, 22. A most serious explosion occurred early this morning at the Gresford colliery, near Wrexluiui, One hundred men arc entombed and rescue parties have worked feverishly to reach them, but so far only a few charred bodies have been recovered. The gravest fears arc entertained for the entomblcd men.

Four hundred were working in tho pit when an explosion occurred at 12.30 a.m., a mile and a-lialf from the bottom of the pitshaft. A great burst of flame followed tho blast. Three hundred miners ran for their lives through the workings and safely reached the surface, but the others were quickly surrounded by a wall of flame. Rescue parties rushed to the scene and desperately endeavoured to force a way towards the entombed men, using fire extinguishers, other appliances, stonedust and sand in effort to extinguish the fire in the workings and make a barrier. Although equipped with gas helmets, two of tho rescuers were overcome by the fumes and died. Others were badly gassed. Sixteen bodies have so far been recovered. Five of the entombed men escaped and two others were rescued seriously injured. Doctors and nurses were rushed to the scene and nearby hospitals .prepared emergency beds. Crowds from neighbouring towns and collieries flocked to tho pithead. Tho managers contemplate scaling the part of the pit affected, in order that the fire will burn itself out. Tho colliery is a modern one and is equipped with tho latest plant. It is the second largest in North Wales.

Pitiable. Scenes at Pithead LITTLE PROGRESS BY RESCUERS. Received Sunday, 11.30 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 22. Day-long, -women, wives, daughters and sweethearts of the Wrexham entombed men, including a week-old bride, held vigil at the rain-swept muddy pithead. Despite the labours of the rescuers, who fought on regardless of the intense heat, singeing their eyebrows and hair and even searing their eyes until they were almost blinded, progress was dishearteningly slow. A member of a rescue party, on coming to the surface in tho evening, said they had heaten back the fire only ten yards in two hours. He was afraid there was no hope of finding any of the men alive. -An official says that the rescue work will continue. If the flames are subdued within the next twelve hours there is still hope of finding the entombed- men alive. The atmosphere has improved, allowing the rescuers to work without masks. His Majesty sent a message: “Tho Queen and I are grieved at tho disaster and feel deeply for the miners involved and the terrible sorrow and anxiety of their families and friends. Please convey all our heart-felt sympathy. Keep me informed of the gallant efforts at rescue.” Three of the rescued men are now dead. One was caught by the flames while pressing ovar-eagerly in an attempt to find a way through the fire.

night-long Relays of Rescuers

Received Monday, 12.15 a.m. LONDON, Sept. 23. The latest estimate of the missing is 102.

An official ascended from the pit at 11 a.m. and said that recent progress against the flames had exceeded expectations.

Many of the rescuers are suffering from scorched and blistered feet, and squads are able to work only half-an-hour. Belays have been arranged nightlong.