PRAGUE DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1928, Page 5

PRAGUE DISASTER

DEATH ROLL RISING. 7 i (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). PRAGUE, Oct. 10, Twenty-one killed and thirty-six injured have already been recovered from the collapsed building. Twentysix still missing. Some were rescued by means of tunnels dug out from neighbouring cellars. ■ ~ Thirty soldiers were injured in the rescue operatione. PRAGUE, October 11. At midnight t|ie dead totalled thirtytwo, 1 and the condition of twelve df those reached was hopeless. Thirty, persons are-still entombed. / t INDIGNATION AT PRAGUE. (Received this dav at 8 a.m.) PRAGUE, October 11. I There is public indignation at the Government not supervising building construction. It is alleged that the builders hurry the work under a system of tax rebates for early completion. The principals of the contracting firm have been arrested.

Rioting followed the arrest of 22 Communists, haranguing crowds near the disaster and blaming the Government for inadequate control of the builders. PRAGUE, October 11. The police were compelled to use batons to disperse demonstrating workmen, who allege official negligence in supervising the building materials. The newspapers are unanimously condemning the contractors avarice in using inferior concrete. They allege it consisted of 18 to 1 parts of sand and cement, instead of the legal 8. to 1. Rescuers last evening heard tapping and located in a pocket beneath the debris a living.man and seven others unconscious.