Explosion in Powder Factory

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 273, 18 November 1936, Page 5

Explosion in Powder Factory

TWELVE KILLED AND 100 INJURED. TROOPS ASSIST WITH RESCUE WORK. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. MARSEILLES, November 16. In a terrific explosion in tho Government powder factory in the village of Saint Chamas, 25 miles northwest of Marseilles, twelve were killed and at least 100 injured. Windows wore broken twenty miles away. Tho troops were called out to assist in rescue work. The surrounding villages were plunged into darkness and the factory burned fiercely. Tremendous Force of Explosion BODIES STRIPPED OF CLOTHING. MARSEILLES, Nov. 16. The manager of the powder works aft Saint Chamas (M. La Rocque) was blown to pieces by the force of tho explosion, and 29 bodies have been taken from, the wreckage. Journalists and photographers are not allowed to approach tho ruins, but three other bodies, stripped of clothing, and one of them decapitated, can be seen. Two others, also naked, were hurled 200 yards. The Mayor of Saint Chamas, who was walking in the street, was thrown down and injured, but paid no attention to his wounds and organised assistance. The casualties are higher than otherwise they would havo been owing to tho fact that the whole management of the factory, the fire brigade, and other helpers wero fighting the fire in the adjoining building. A firo engino was blown to pieces. The works cover an area of five miles.

The roof of offices two miles from the scene of the explosion was ripped off, and buildings were damaged in every street of tho little town.