MINE DISASTER
FORTY-ONE KILLED EXPLOSION. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright BRUSSELS, May 16. Of 46 miners working at Paturages at midnight, 2500 feet from the surface, 41 were killed instantly, and five injured, when gas flames, reaching a temperature of 1500 degrees centigrade, ignited the coni seam. The bodies recovered were unrecognisable, except by lamp numbers and : identification discs. King Leopold visited the stricken town, and comforted the bereaved relatives. Miners Protest to King. j “Yes, your Majesty, we need plenty of courage for our trade, but it is not much use being courageous. They are again talking of decreasing our small wages. We are not valued as we should be,” said a miner, when King Leopold congratulated the rescuers. The King movingly replied: “The decision does not rest with me, but I will do my best to see that the wage cut is not enforced.” The mine owners shortly afterwards decided that the fire per cent, cut which was to become operative on May 20, should not become effective till June 3.
A SECOND EXPLOSION.
FOURTEEN MEN KILLED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright (Received May 18. 1.10 a.m. MONS. May 17. At least 14 men were killed in a second explosion of fire-damp in Pataurages mine while a rescue party was still seeking the victims of Tuesday’s disaster.
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Bibliographic details
Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19802, 18 May 1934, Page 9
Word Count
220MINE DISASTER Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19802, 18 May 1934, Page 9
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