TRAGIC MINE EXPLOSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18943, 14 February 1925, Page 9

TRAGIC MINE EXPLOSION.

'RUHR FIELD DISASTER. DEATH'S DREADFUL TOLL. VICTIMS NUMBER 136. SMALL MINORITY SAVED. HEARTRENDING SCENES. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. A. and N.Z.-Reuter-Sun. BERLIN. Feb. 12. The latest news from the Stein colliery near Dortmund, in the Ruhr, where the explosion occurred yesterday, states that 136 miners were killed and seven rescued. One hundred and ten bodies have been recovered. Many of them were terribly burned, and were only identifiable by tags or lamps. The explosion hurled some of them a distance of 60ft. The disaster was marked by appalling suddenness. Apparently the explosion was due to a spark from a machine igniting firedamp. A terrific roar and reverberation were followed by the crashing and rending of timbers as the shafts and galleries caved in. The air supply was almost instantaneously cut off, and most of the men who were entombed were quickly suffocated. Gallant Efforts of Keseuers. Rescuers worked frantically all night, equipped with oxygen respirators and cutting tools, in an endeavour to penetrate the obstructions. Meanwhile the outside barriers were guarded by police. frenzied women, accompanied by children, fought in the hope of breaking through to join in the rescue work, The directors of the mine, fearing to build up false hopes, forbade the issue of bulletins. Thereupon the crowd took up the cry, "Lynch them!" The rescuers by daybreak had made several holes through the,debris into the mine. Pathetic Messages in Chalk. Near one of these openings they found a chalked message which read: "Midnight.. All well so far. We are nine." Other messages were found chalked on the walls. Later, cries emanated from another gallery, but soon ceased, it is believed owing to the firedamp extending to that area. The chaos in the underground galleries handicapped the rescuers, some of whom are reported to have succumbed to gas poisoning. Others successfully penetrated 1250 ft, The explosion killed 37 miners outright. It was most violent, ;,and caused the shafts and galleries to collapse, blocking the exits. Rescue work is still proceeding under the greatest difficulties. The Chancellor, Hen* Luther, was nil early visitor to the scene of >the disaster. He expressed the condolence of the Government with the relatives of the victims.