NO HOPE FOR ENTOMBED MEN.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1007, 23 December 1910, Page 5

NO HOPE FOR ENTOMBED MEN.

DISTRESSING SCENES. forty Corpses recovered. (Rec. December 22, 10.25 p.m.) London, December 22. The explosion at Pretoria Colliery has wrecked the mine. There have been big falls of the' reef, and tho machinery has been destroyed. Tho noiso of the explosion was heard fivo miles awav,. and a great pillar of flamo shoe up from the shaft. The rescuers havp penetrated 200 yards into tho mine, and have recovered ten 'bodies, mutilated and burned, at the Arley level. Rescuers Succumb. . Two of the rescuers succumbed to the fumes. One of tbern was trying to succour his two sons. The small fires following the explosion havo been extinguished. Tho prescnco of after-damp destroys tho hopo that any of the meii entombed are alive in the mine. The Men Entrapped. A fiery explosion swept five sections, blocking tho exits and entrapping tho miners. There have been many .painful scer.es at tho colliery, where tho crowd was dazed by tho extent, of the disaster. The Bishop Prays. The Bishop of Manchester was present, and prayed' for the unfortunate men, surrounded by weeping- women and children. No electricity or shots were used in tho mine. It is supposed, that the explosion was caused by a niatch or a defective lamp. Corpses Recovered. The rescuers have discovered forty corpses, and brought them .to the surfaco during the night. The King has telegraphed liis sympathy.