Bombay Tragedy Was Largely Due To Neglect

Northern Advocate, 14 September 1944, Page 4

Bombay Tragedy Was Largely Due To Neglect

NEW DELHI, Sept. 12 A commission of inquiry into the Bombay explosions on April 14, gives five causes and describes 14 points on which action before and during the disaster was defective. Two explosions occurred aboard the steamer Fortstikine, carrying--1395 tons of explosives and ammunition; also cotton. Two hundred and thirl yone were killed and 476 injured from various services, the fire brigade and dock employees. At. least 500 civilians were killed and nearly 2000 injured. Damage amounted to several million pounds. The commission found; (1) Existence of a stale of war resulting in the bringing into the docks of ships laden with explosives and ammunition. (2) Stowing of cotton aboard the Fortstikine above and below explosives. (3) Accidental ignition of the cotton.^ (4) Failure at the outset of the fire by those present in authority to appreciate the gravity of the situation, and failure during* the fire to take energetic steps to extinguish the fire or take alternative action to avert, disaster. (5) The absence at the fire of it centralised executive control to issue paramount orders and co-ordinate the various authorities of the services concerned. Where Officials Failed

The commission rules out the possibility of deliberate sabotage, and considers that the probable cause of the cotton igniting was the careless discarding of a cigarette or match by someone smoking in the hold. The Fortstikine, when entering port, failed to hoist a red flag, indicating dangerous cargo. No explosives were unloaded for more than 24 hours after berthing, and, when the fire was discovered, no one thought ot using steam injectors, which would have checked the fire. The fire brigade was not informed for 40 minutes after the fire was discovered, that the ship was carrying' explosives. There was a failure from the outset to get at the heart ol the fire. , A second and more devastating explosion occurred 27 minutes after the first. Dock police impeded persons getting away after the fire began by checking passes right up to the moment of the first explosion.