TERRIBLE COLLIERY EXPLOSION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1560, 26 March 1887, Page 1

TERRIBLE COLLIERY EXPLOSION.

EIGHTY-FIVE MINERS KILLED. Sydney, March 24. A terrible accident, occasioned by the explosion of gas, occurred at Bull! Colliery to-day. Accounts to band state that a sudden terrific blast of hot air burst from a tunnel, and the force of the explosion blocked the mouth. A search party with difficulty penetrated to the distance of three quarters of a mile and then discovered six charred bodies of adults and the dismembered remains of a boy, Many of the search party have been rendered unconscious by the foul air. A profound sensation is caused throughput the district, and the scene of anguish .at'the tunnel mouth where the wives and children of the entombed men are, is indescribable. The mine has been lying idle for some time owing to the strike, but work was lately resumed and every precaution bad been taken to ensure safety. The cause of the explosion is yet unknown. Safety lamps were used in the gaseous 'part of the mine. Probably the cause of the accident was negligence. Later. It is bow stated that 85 miners were in the tunnels of the Bulli mine when the explosion took place.' A number of bodies have been found, which were not disfigured by the explosion. These were clasped ‘in'" each' btber’s , arms, and evidently died from suffocation. Heartrending scenes took place at the mouth of the tunnel as the bodies were brought out and identified. Van loads of coffins have already been conveyed to the mine. The search parties encounter considerable difficulty owing to foul air. They cannot yet reach the place where the greater number of m'«ers were when the explosion’took place. The work of recovering the bodies is being carried on as quickly as possible, but no hope is entertained that any of the entombed men will be rescued ajive, Steps are being taken to provide for the widows and families of the sufferers. The Bulli mine is situated about a mile and a-half from the township of Bulli. The mouth of the mine is almost filled by women and children, who are anxiously watching the operations which are beiag carried on to recover the bodies. It is impossible at present fully to explore the working, as hundreds of tons of rock have been dislodged by the explosion, Many of the bodies of miners have been driven several yar<h» from the place where they were Their limbs are broken and shattered. Nearly all the bodies bear evidence of burning, The most depressing gloom has been thrown over the whole township by the accident.

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