MINING DISASTER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1696, 13 March 1906, Page 2

MINING DISASTER.

AWFUL DEATH KOLL. By. telegraph, Press Ass’n, Copyright Paris, Maroh 11. The lateet roll numbers five hundred and ninety-one rescued, and twelve hundred and.nineteen asphyxiated or crushed to death, Recent heavy tains in the north of Fraooe produced landslips, which apparently affected the mines. The first accounts suggested that 20 were killed, but late ia the afternoon further rescue was abandoned, and the full extent of the disaster realised, though there were faint hopis that some would have refuged in the lateral galleries. Many of tho resoued were frightfully burnt. Bar, ohief engineer, led a baud of fifty resouers. He deolares that the scene below waß awful. A eecoDd rescue party readied the five hundred feet level, acd heard the cries of their mates six buadred feet lower. They were, however, unable to reaoh them.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. GREAT SYMPATHY FOR THE RELATIVES. THRILLING EXPERIENCES.

By telegraph, Press Ais’n, Copyright

Reeeived 11 29 p.m., Maroh 12. Paris, Maroh 12. All Governments and heads of State condoled with Oonrrieree. The latest estimate is that there were upwards of 1100 deaths. A profound impression was caused in Paris.

President Tallieres seDt a representa live to express sympathy with the popula tioD.

The outgoing Minister of Interior and Minister of Works visited the scene.

The Go vernment are organising a public relief fund for widows and orphans. The Press Syndioats in Paris has initiated private charity. The Prefect at Pas de Calais, describing the difficulty in restraining the wives and ohildren of minors Btill under ground from approaching tho flames issuing from the pit’s mouths, and the waylaying of vehicles for conveying corpses with the view of ascertaining bread-winners’ fate, summoned reinforcements of troops and gendarmes to maintain order.

Tbore was general exoitement in the district, arousiDg in a ceitain degree from apprehension.

Received 11.34 p.m., Maroh 12,

The explosion projected three cages with men who were being lowered, destroying tho roofs over the mouths of the pits. Four men arrived at the surface by laddora after passing over the bodies of men and h0r603 prostrated by the explosion. Flames next issued.

Rrseuerp, including doctors and engineers, descended other shafts, and resoued three hundred and fifty woikiog half a | mile from the explosion. They were I brought to tbe surface aud had not suffered severely. Later three hundred more less seriously injured were rescued. The rescuers worked in relays till night. They made their way gsix hundred yards from the bottom of the shaft. Two miners were found alive at mid night. The foremau after the explosion told them to lie down and esoape the first gust of poisonous air. They were prisoners for eight hours.- The foreman said he felt he was dying, and urged them to escape. The three tried, but the fjreman was missed, and doubtless bad fa’len.