THE TERRIBLE COLLIERY EXPLOSION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1516, 25 March 1887, Page 2

THE TERRIBLE COLLIERY EXPLOSION

FURTHER DETAILS. [lIRUTBII's TBLEORAM*— COPYRIGHT.] Svdnky, MVch 24. Later accounts from Bulli state that there is no hope of saving the buried men. It is believed there are about eigh'y -five m the mine, the most of whom are married and have families. The search party found eighteen other bodies, some greatly mutilated. The cause of the explosion is yet unknown. Safety lamps were used m jthe gaseous part of the mine. The j cause was probably an accident or negligence. A number of bodies have been found which were not disfigured by the explosion. They were clasped m each other's arms, and had evidently died from suffocation. Heartrending scenes took place at the mouth of the tunnel as the bodies were brought up and identified. Van loads of coffins have already been conveyed to the mine. Steps are being taken to provide for the widows and families of sufferers. Later. The Bulli mine is situated about a mile and a half from the township of Bulli. The mouth of the mine is almost filled by women and children, who are anxiously watching the operations which are being carried on to recover the bodies.

It is impossible at present to fully explore the workings, as hundreds of tons of rock have beea dislodged by the explosion.

Many of the bodies of the miners have been driven several yards from the place where they were working, their limbs being broken and shattered.

Nearly all the bodies bear evidence of burning.

A most depressing gloom has been thrown over the whole township by the accident.

The latest news from Bulli reports that so far thirty-five bodies have been recovered.

The Government will give assistance to the sufferers by the explosion.