Hundreds Burned to Death

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 39, 16 February 1937, Page 7

Hundreds Burned to Death

CROWD JAMMED IN EXITS. Untied Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—-Copyright. TOKIO, February 14. A theatre built of wood and plaster and crammed with 1500 reople caught fire at Antung, in Manchuria. Hundreds, mostly women r.:?* children, were burned to death or trampled down and suffocated, 653 bodies having been recovered. The gallery collapsed and the crowd were Jammed in the meagre exits and entiro families perished. The fire originated from a candle in the actors’ room at the back of the stage and spread to thirty adjoining houses which were destroyed. TRAGIC SCENES HALF AUDIENCE TRAPPED IN BUILDING Received Monday, 7 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 14. The Daily Mail’s Antung corresponient reports that survivors are still scrambling among the smouldering ruins searching for bodies of relatives. Many seekers are orphaned boys and girls. Thus far 680 bodies have been recovered, many unrecognisable. The death roll is estimated at 800. The audience had assembled for n gala performance in celebration of the Chinese New Year. They were wear ing long gaily-hued robes over which many tripped when attempting to escape. The confusion was so great that less than half the audience emerged when, after the collapse of the gallery flinging the occupants on the frenzied mass below, the blazing walls and roof fell in completely defeating the courageous efforts of firemen and Japanese troops. Fifty houses were also destroyed. Among the recovered bodies is that of a Japanese policeman who sacrificed his life in attempting to cut a hole in the wall to release the imprisoned. One hundred were seriously injured.