PANIC IN PRAGUE.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15999, 30 May 1924, Page 7

PANIC IN PRAGUE.

EXPLOSION OF SHELLS. ROYAL PALACE DAMAGED, KING’S NARROW ESCAPE. (Australian end N.Z. Cable Assn ) RPC RAREST, May 20. The city was reduced In a stale of pan in following on an explosion of J'3.000 sliells in an arsenal close; lo (lie Royal .Caslle, the windows of which were shattered and valuables smashed. Kins Ferdinand had a narrow escape from death as the result of a falling shell. Princess Ilcana is safe. A fire followed in the military depot, and several were lulled. A fire also broke out in a girls’ school, and the fate of the girls is not known at the present lime. The arsenal was destroyed. LONDON, May 2D. The Bucharest correspondent of the Daily Express says that the arsenal was situated a quarter of a mile from the castle. The explosion shook every building for miles around. Shells hurtled through the air and into the neighbouring buildings. King Fc-rdimnu was walking with the Minister for 'War, General Unscanu. lie rushed to the scene of the explosion and insisted on approaching so closely tint General Avercscu, Minister for the interior, had to pull him hack. Almost immediately a shell dropped, blowing a great hole in tile ground. Princess Ilcana was in the castle at the lime. She and the servants were shaken but not injured. The shells, which had recently arrived at the arsenal, exploded in quick succession. They made a deafening and terrifying noise. The population at first believed that the city was being bombarded. Every window in the principal street was smashed Several workmen arc believed to have been trapped and burnt lo death in (lie military depot. When the lire broke out at the girls’ school the pupils rushed screaming info Ihe strecl. The Senate and Chamber wee silling when rhe explosion occurred Roth adjourned, as it was feared that Ihe domes of Parliament House would crash at any moment. The arsenal and plant were destroyed, mduding 1000 railway waggons.. (Jueen Marie of Roumania is still in Loudon. When Her Majesty was informed of the explosion and told I hat there were no deaths in (he caslfe. she exclaimed; "Thank God for that.’!