SHOCKING TRAGEDY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22579, 18 November 1936, Page 13

SHOCKING TRAGEDY

EXPLOSION IN EKANCE POWDER FACTORY WRECKED HEAVY CASUALTY LIST By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright MARSEILLES, Nov. Hi A terrific explosion occurred in a Government powder factory at the village of St. Charaas, 25 miles north-west of Marseilles. More than 80 people were killed and 200 injured. Windows were broken 20 miles away. Troops were called out to assist in the rescue work. The surrounding villages were plunged into darkness. The main part of tlie factory was blown up while the workers were fighting the fire in another part. People a distance away felt the ground shake as if ail earthquake had occurred. Cars in the neighbourhood wore requisitioned to take the injured to hosnital, ]()() being admitted to the hospital at Salon. The chief of the powder works, M. la Roque, was blown to pieces. Twentynine bodies were taken from the wreckage. Journalists and photographers were not allowed to approach the ruins but three other bodies, stripped of their clothing and one decapitated, could be seen. Two others, also naked, were hurled 200 yards away. The Mayor of St. Clin inns was walking in the main street and was thrown down and injured, hut without receiving attention to his wounds he organised assistance for the injured. The casualties were increased owing to the fact that all the members of the managerial staff, the lire brigade and other helpers were fighting the fire in the adjoining building. The fire engine was blown to pieces. The works cover an area of five miles. The roof of the offices, two miles from the scene of the explosion, was ripped off and buildings were damaged in all the streets of the little town