Miners Entombed

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 39, 16 February 1937, Page 7

Miners Entombed

Coal Mine Disaster in Victoria! LITTLE HOPE OF RESCUE. United Press Association—By Elec trio Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Monday, 7 p.m. MELBOURNE, Feb. 15. A terrific explosion occurred at, ten o’clock this morning in No. 20 shaft at the State coal mine at Wonthaggi. Thirteen men were (rapped in the mine and there is little hope of rescue. The explosion blew up cages from the 150 feet level and the shaft collapsed. The bulk of the men were attending a stop work meeting in town. When the news was received the meeting disbanded hurriedly and fire brigades, ambulance men and miners rushed to the pit head to aid their comrades. As the news spread, women left their homes and children their schools to form tearful, anxious groups, while resellers sought to find the extent of the disaster. The cause so far is not known, but it is easily'the biggest disaster in the history of Wonthaggi. TUNNEL BLOCKED WITH DEBRIS. Received Monday, 7.40 p.m. MELBOURNE, Feb. 15. The thirteen men are entombed 190 feet underground. The force of the explosion drove the cage up the shaft to the poppet-head followed by a cloud of dust, fumes and smoke, which rose one hundred feet into the air. The mine manager, Mr J. McLeish, underground manager, Mr T. Johnston, and one volunteer, wearing gas masks, descended in a cage and discovered the entrance to the tunnel where the .men were supposed to be, completed blocked with debris. There is no sign o£ foui air.