Blasts In Russia Recorded In Zurich

Northern Advocate, 5 October 1948, Page 5

Blasts In Russia Recorded In Zurich

ZURICH, Mon. (10 a.m.)—The Swiss Federal Political Department ordered an official blackout on reports circulating in Switzerland that the Zurich Meteorological Office had recorded heavy explosions from Russia, which could be atom bombs.

The director of the office said:

“Any comments we might give would result in severe criticism from the Soviet authorities, since the nature of such reports has strong political and military significance. Local meteorological officers received telephoned instructions not to deny oxconfirm reports of atomic explosions in Russia. OTHER STATIONS NEARER It is pointed out that, nearer Russia than Switzerland, there are excellent meteorological stations, now under Allied control—one in Austria and another in the American zone of Germany—which, presumably, would record similar explosions.

Powerful explosions show recordings different from earthquakes, but there is no positive way of distinguishing atomic from other severe explosions.