OVER 400 MISSING

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5307, 21 January 1947, Page 5

OVER 400 MISSING

(Press Assn. —

PORT 80W BLOWN OFF IN TERRIFIC EXPLOSION *

Rec. 9.30 v.m.)

LONDON, Jan. 20. Heavy loss of life is expeeted as the result of a Greek passenuvr ship striking a mine 15 miles from Athens. The vessel was i*i owded with 680 passengers and although no figures are yet available it is sti\ted that the death roll will be between 300 mul 400. The vessel, which was i'.amerly a 4200-ton German hcspital ship had just been taken over by Greeee and had sailed from Salonika, its passengers ineltuling 150 soldiers whp n-.-re proeeeding on leave. The mine is stated to be oue from a tii ld laid by the Germans near Athens. ' The Greek passenger ship, Chim-" arra struclc the mine in Greek eoastal waters when it was hound * for Piraeus. She sanlc in 20 minutes. The explosion oeeurred early today but the Greek Government were en!y aware of the tragedy when a crevv of a eaique which assisted in ihe rescue operations reached Piraeus. The explosion blew off the port bow. The electric ligfht failed and the steamer hegan listing^ heavily. No S.O.S. was sent as the wireless was put out of action. The master of the cajque reported that the vessel sanlc, leaving a number of corpses and a mass of debris floating on the water. Destroyers and other salvage vessels have left for the scene. So far 3S survivors have arrived at Athens seven of whom are seriously injnred, : ii d have been admitted to hospital. Passengers Swim Ashore Some passengers, including two »,irls, swam to- the shore, despite the i'act that it is mid-winter in Europe. Surv-ivors said the Chimarra sailed liom Salonika yesterday morning with 450 passengers, 150 soldiers and : complement of 80. Among the passengers were members of the oarty which aceompanied Prince Paul of Greeee, on his tour of northi rii Greeee, and several Macedonian deputies. It is officially stated in Athens that rescue ships picked up and landed about 200 survivors. Rescuers are working under -?xtremely difficnlt conditions. A high sea JsTunning and it is feared that other mines may be drifting in the area of the search. The Associated Press "Athens correspondent quotes survivors as saying that passengers were packed lilce sardines. There were screams of terror as they tried, in moonless darkness, to G.rce their way to the deeks. The Chimarra lurched and then listed acutel.v before sinking. Many passengers jumped overboard. The wireless operator said: "There was hellish disorder." Ile with the -•aptain and first and second mates were the last to leave the ship. They all swam for several hours hel'ore they got hold oi some barrels, which saved their lives. The operator said that in the mad scramhle at least one life-boat was swamped and the occupants all drowned. He estimated that there were 200 women and children among the passengers. Reuter's corres])ondent says that the Greek destroyer Miaoilis, four lumling-craft, a corvette, and planes, are search ing the area. The Chimarra, which is now deserihed as a former German hospital ship of 1500 tons, was proeeeding in a swept ehaunel. It is believed that a gale detac-hed a mine from a German minefield. Survivors said that among those on board when the ship went down wero 40 capi'urod guerillas who were in chains in the shi])'s hold. Sahotage Is Alleged It is reported that some of the survivors from Ihe Chimarra alleged sahotage aimod at Prince Paul's entourage. The eaplain is quoted as saying th:t the explosion eame from within the ship. ,