AN EXCITING SCENE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8291, 20 November 1906, Page 5

AN EXCITING SCENE.

BOMB EXPLODES IN A CHURCH. Received November 19, 8.15 a.m. ROME, November 18. There was an exciting scene at S. Peter's Oburoh this morning. During the service a bomb exploded near the altar. Fortunately no one was injured. The Pope immediately ordered the ohurcb to be dosed. INDESCRIBABLE CONFUSION. Received November 19, 9.30 a.m. ROME, November 18. The church was crowded at the time of the explosion. Tremendous and indescribable confusion prevailed. A TREMENDOUS EXPLOSION. TERRIBLE PANIC. A COOL CANON. GRAVE DISASTER NARROWLY AVERTED. deceived November 19, 9.54 p.m. ROME, November 19. S. Peter's Church had been beautifully decorated in honour of the anniversary of its dedication, and holy relics were exposed. ". The attendance was exceptionally large. Cardinal Rampolta was assisting the choir in the chapel. The last Masses were over when the Canon at the alta* of S. Petionella, in the right aisle close to where the explosioa ooourred, smarted to pronounce the Blessing. A tremendous xoar echoed through the building. Dense smoke spread everywhere with a strong smell of gunpowder. The Canon tried to stop the panic by shouting: "It is only the noonday gun!" The terror was so great that the multitude rushed for the doors, overturning chairs. Some of the women fainted, and children screamed. A grave disaster seemed imminent, when the smoke cleared and the panic was allayed. The building escaped damage.