VIOLENT EXPLOSION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 53, 31 January 1938, Page 7

VIOLENT EXPLOSION.

ITALIAN MUNITIONS FACTORY. HUGE DEATH ROLL. ROME, Jan. 30. It is believed that 100 persons were killed and 1000 injured to-day as the result of a terrific explosion at Segni munitions factory, near Tivoli. Police and soldiers formed a cordon round the works. The first explosion occurred in a concrete building where hand grenades and aeroplane bombs were stored. This caused a second greater explosion in two neighbouring sheds, followed by a third final explosion. All parts of the town were damaged. Almost every window was shattered and doors far distant were torn off their hinges. An official statement says the explosion appears to be the result of carelessness on the part of a worker who caused a cylinder of compressed air to explode. Difficulty is experienced in accurately enumerating the sufferers, due to the ruins of the buildings in which the rescuers are still digging and the flooding of cellars in the vicinity of the disaster to prevent further explosions. Heavy rain at night was in time to put out the last smouldering embers. Troops for a long time prevented carloads of medical supplies reaching the stricken area as the persons in charge of the cars did not possess permits. The casualty list was lessened as the first explosion, which occurred before 8 a.m. when the night shift was departing, prevented day workers from going in, pending investigation, during which the second and much worse explosion occurred