Disaster In Paris

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 24, 18 June 1914, Page 5

Disaster In Paris

THE CAUSE OP THE SUBSIDENCES

THE CITY HONEYCOMBED.

By Cable—Pi ess Association—Copyright

Received 18, 12.30 p.m,

Paris, June 17.

Most of the subsidences were due to the bursting of new sewers, which run parallel with the underground railways. The sewers were unable to carry the flood water, and burst. The water caused the railway tunnel to collapse, and caused short circuits in the electric cables, which exploded the gas. It is believed that the 1910 floods loosened the subsoil at St. Lazare, and this was the real cause of the disaster. The •whole city of recent years has been dangerously undermined by pipes too close to the surface.

Four choir boys were engulfed and killed when leaving.St. Phillips' Church. Ropes across the streets indicate the danger zones. Hundreds of soldiers and police are guarding the approaches. Fircifien and laborers are searching the debris for numbers still missing.

FATAL SUBSIDENCES IN STREETS.

Paris, June Ift. Twenty fatalities are reported.

Two inches of rain fell in 35 minutes. A hole sixty feet by ten suddenly appealed under the tramway line at Porte Gilgnacourt to-day.

Four bodies have been recovered in the Place St. Augnstin. Lightning struck a suburban church, v lolling fonr and injuring several. Prefect opines that the subsid«i*ence of the streets was due to an overf -congestion of tramway traffic.