EXPLOSION IN ITALY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2488, 3 October 1922, Page 4

EXPLOSION IN ITALY.

LARGE NUMBER OF DEATHS. VILLAGES BADLY DAMAGED ROME, Sept. 29. Details from Spezzia show that the Fort Falconara explosion of ammunition was more disastrous than was at first suspected. Already 144 bodies have been recovered in Santerenzo alone, and the number of dead in the other villages is still unknown. The explosion was due to a short circuit, not, .jo lightning, us was at first thought. Fifteen hundred tons of explosives were affected, and the devastation covered a radius of seven miles. The villages of Larici, Puglialn, Telaro, Puttello and Muggiuno were badly damaged. Some reports state that hundreds of • people lost their lives, but a moderate estimate is 200 killed and 500 wounded. Immediately after the flash, great flames wore seen to leap up and the whole magazine seemed to go up ill one roar. Workers rushed in panic front the fort, but before they reached safety the explosion came, many-being killed by concussion, and others by falling debris, especially women and children, who were buried when thenhouses collapsed. The ships in Spezzia harbour were tossed ■ about by giant waves. Troops, civilians and Fascisti volunteered for rescue work, but darkness and a raging storm hampered them. The wounded were soon arriving in large numbers at Spezzia hospital. The army - rescuers have gone to Santerenzo to assist in clearing away the ruins.—A. and N.Z. cable.