HUGE MINE EXPLOSION

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 361, 16 February 1937, Page 5

HUGE MINE EXPLOSION

STATE COLLIERY.

IN VICTORIA. No Hope Of Rescuing Trapped Men. Press Association —Copyright. Melbourne, Feb. 15. A terrific explosion occurred at 10 o’clock this' morning in N. 20 shaft of the State coal mine at Wonthaggi. Thirteen men were trapped in the mine 190 feet down and there is no hope of their rescue. The explosion blew up cages from the 150 feet level and the shaft collapsed. The bulk of the men were attending a stop-work meeting in the town when the news was received. The meeting disbanded hurriedly and fire brigades', ambulance men and miners rushed to the pit head to aid their comrades. As the news spread women left their homes and children the schools to form tearful and anxious groups while the rescuers sought to find the extent of the disaster, Tl.t> cause is so far not known, but It is easily the biggest disaster in the hostory of the Wonthaggi field. The mine manager, the underground manager, and one volunteer, wearing gas masks, descended in a cage and discovered the entrance to the tunnel where the men were supposed to be completely blocked with debris'. There was no sign of foul air. Officials announced that if the men were not killed by the explosion they must have died shortly afterward from carbon monoxide poisoning. No bodies have yet been recovered.