HOLOCAUST IN CHURCH

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 952, 21 April 1930, Page 1

HOLOCAUST IN CHURCH

150 Perish in Stampede CANDLE IGNITES DECORATIONS Sobbing Mothers Plan Suicide United P.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright Received 10.5 BUKAREST, Saturday. A SHOCKING disaster occurred in the little town of Gaesti, Rumania, while a Good Friday service was in progress, and 150 victims were burned or trampled to death, including two priests. It is believed that only three people were saved.

The flame of a candle ignited a paper wreath and the fire spread to ilie building. In the ensuing panic £reat loss of life was caused. The congregation consisted principally of women and children. In their rush for the doors, which opened inwards and became jammed, many ,-were trapped. The decorations Tor the orihodox Service rapidly spread the flames. The villagers were unable to rescue the great majority of the worshippers. They surrounded the building, knelt ;;nd covered their faces with their hands and sobbed aloud. The victims are being buried in a common grave on the site of the burned church. Survivors relate that a priest

heroically sought to avert a panic and continued reading the Gospel in a loud voice until overwhelmed by smoke and flames. It is stated it was a woman’s action which caused the tragedy. She blocked the only exit and refused to move until someone rescued her two children who were - seated in the front pews. An appalling panic. ensued. The fire brigade arrived just as the roof fell in. The victims were tightly packed, and in many cases only the heads were charred, the bodies being almost unscorched. Over 100 bereaved mothers have vowed to suicide at the victims’ grave by remaining till they are starved.