PASSENGERS TRAPPED

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 228, 19 May 1932, Page 5

PASSENGERS TRAPPED

(Press Assn.

RESCUp MADE QIFFICULT BY DESTRUClftON OF BOATS CONRUSION AND PANIC Froin the confused and still somewhat meagr'e details which are all that is available regarding tbe burning off Cape Guardafui of the French luxury liner Georges Philippar, it is becoming increasingly apparepf that grim tragedy attended the loss of the vessel, despite the calmness of the weather and the proximity of aid. One account states that over 200 of the passengers and crew are still missing and that'at least half of these were trapped by the flames in their cabins. Others are believed to have been taken bysharks when they jumped into the sea. Some of the rescued passengers who have arrived at Aden, tell of indescribable scenes of confusion and panic when they were ordered on deck after the discovery of the fire, and agonies of apprehension were suffered by them while they were waiting to be ferried to the rescue ships.

— By Telegraph — Cop.yrlght.)

ADEN, Tuesday. Passengers from the ill-fated Georges Philippar relate their awful experiences in one of the most extraordinary sea tragedi'es of recent times. The fire in an empty cabin had such a firm hold before it was discovered that all the chemicaj extinguishers available were inadequate. It is tfeargd the occupants of the 'neighbonring cabins perished in the flames, which devastated a wide area including the wireless rooni before an "S.O.S." could be despatched. The first message concerning the catastrophe was sent by the Contractor, which saw the flames from a distance of 35 miles. I The confusion and panic were inIdescribable, when the passengers ■were aroused and told to make their iway forward. I Smoke, sparks and flames caused ■the destruction of a number of IifeIhoats and rendered it impQssible for Ithe passengers to take their boat drill fcositions; consequently husbands were ■separated from their wives and children from their parents. ■ There wrere increasing agonies of fcpprehension because the Sovietskaia was prevented from approaching ow■ng to the latter's explosive eargo; but ■20 of the passengers and crew were ■erried on rafts, which were plentiful, 1 rescued from the sea into which ■hey jumped. B The Contractor arrived three hours Rter and found the survivors peril■usly grouped on the forecastle of Bio Philippar.