NOW 150 DEAD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19987, 12 July 1939, Page 7

NOW 150 DEAD

TOWN DESOLATED HOLOCAUST IN SPAIN UP TO 1300 INJURED FEW HOUSES LEFT WRECK A OF, TX EXPLOSION (Elec. Tel. Copyright.—United Press Assn.) (Reed. July 11. 2.50 p.m.) LONDON. July 10. Tiie correspondent of the British United Press in Penaranda do Bracamonte. Spain, says that the town is a desolated smoking ruin as a result of the terrific explosion of a powder magazine reported earlier to-day. It is now stated that 150 people were killed and 1300 injured. Those made homeless rushed to Salamanca, whore temporary hospitals were installed. General Franco sent £SOOO for the relief of distress. The majority of the citizens were cooking their Sunday dinners when the explosion occurred. Hence numerous fires followed. With a roar like an earthquake the ceilings of houses collapsed amid the cries of the dying. Flour mills and shoe factories formed the main industries of the town.

Still burning human and animal bodies were scattered amid household goods, utensils and bedding. Only 20 to 30 dwellings were left standing in the town which housed 5000 people. Lorry loads of fugitives, clutching odds and ends of furniture and weeping hopelessly, followed each other to Salamanca.

The heat could be felt miles away. The stench was ghastly. Many of the rescuers were severely burned.