A MASS FUNERAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 142, 18 June 1931, Page 7

A MASS FUNERAL

DISASTER OFF ST. NAGAIRE MANY BODIES INSIDE WBECK [By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright] NANTES, Juno 16. A mass funeral such as might follow a battle, will draw a pall over the ►St. Philbert disaster, in which the death roll was tenfold that of tho Rlo] disaster. A burial service will be held at the Cathedral oi. the 19th. inst. if enough bodies are by then identified. The bodies of four women were east up to-day. The remains jf many of the victims may never be inferred, because 200 bodies are still within the wreck. ►Salvage apparatus is coming from Brest. Divers will explore the possibilities of raising the ship, thus removing a menace to navigation, and rccov ering the corpses. With six exceptions the victims could be identified only by their clothing and personal ornaments. Indicating the sweeping nature of the catastrophe every occupant of a three-storey apartment perished except the caretaker, who did not participate in the excursion. The Government is legislating to give immediate relief to the dependents of the victims. CAPTAIN’S BODY RECOVERED LONDON, June 16. A St. Nazaire report states that the body ot Captain Olive has bceu washed ashore. BODIES IN WRECK Received June 18, 1.30 p.m. LONDON, June 17. A St. Nazaire message states that it is believed that 200 bodies aro entombed in the wreck of the St. Philibert. A whole family of 14 are among the drowned.