POISONOUS FUMES

Northern Advocate, 23 May 1928, Page 5

POISONOUS FUMES

HAMBURG SUFFERERS.

NINETY-FIVE PROSTRATED.

SUPPOSED RUSSIAN PRODUCT.

(Australian Press Association.) (Received 10.(3 a.m.) BERLIN, May 22

Ninety-five persons are still in hospital at Hamburg in consequence of the dissemination of phosgene fumes. Seven are in a critical condition, and the state of 26 is serious, though the doctors hope to save them.

Gas-helmeted men are parading the deserted streets, reminiscent of wartime. It will be days before people can return to their homes.

■ Officials deny any knowledge of the existence of the gas, though there are allegations, that, it was manufactured in Russia as an emergency supply against disturbances during the Ruhr occupation.

PATIENTS NUMBER 230.

LEAKAGE. INEXPLICABLE,

(Times Cable.) . (Received 1 p.m.) - LONDON, May 22.

The Hamburg correspondent of the “Times” says that hospitals are still treating 250 crises of those affected by the gas explosion. Cases which at first appeared to be slight are becoming more serious. Several hitherto who were apparently unaffected were admitted to hospital today. The phosgene leakage is inexplicable, inasmuch as the tanks are periodically tested and carefully supervised.

The authorities are demanding why gas sufficient to wipe out the population of Hamburg was stored in ordinary tanks instead of steel-lined ones.