AN EASTER TRAGEDY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17239, 21 April 1930, Page 7

AN EASTER TRAGEDY

, CHURCH CATCHES FIRE 150 PEOPLE INCINERATED BUCHAREST, April 19. A candle flame igniting a paper wreath set lire to a wooden church in the little town of Gaesci. According to early reports a congregation of 150 people was observing Good Friday. Only three were - saved. The great loss of life was due to the doors, which opened inward, jamming tightly. The decorations for the Orthodox service rapidly spread the flames, and the villagers were unable to rescue the worshippers from the flaming church. They surrounded the building, knelt and covered their faces with their hands, sobbing aloud. 'l’lie congregation consisted principally of women and children. In the rush for the doors, which opened inwards, many were trapped, and 150 are believed to have been burned or trampled to death, including two priests. The victims are being buried in a common grave on the site of) the burned church.

.Survivors relate that a priest heroically sought to avert the panic, and continued rending tlie Gospel in a loud voice until overwhelmed by smoke and flames.

It is stated it was a woman’s action which caused the tragedy. She blocked the only exit, refusing to move until somebody rescued her two children, who were seated in front pews. An appalling panic ensued. 'ilte lire brigade arrived just as the roof fell in. The victims were tightly packed, and in many cases only the heads were charred, the bodies being almost unscorched. ■ One bundled bereaved mothers have vowed to commit suicide at the victims’ grave by remaining till they starve.