ACCIDENT AT A CIRCUS IN FRANCE.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2895, 27 May 1878, Page 3

ACCIDENT AT A CIRCUS IN FRANCE.

Great Loss of Life.

BqUIOGNE-STTB MEB, Feb. 4. Calais is in a state of gloomy excitement owing to an accident last night, accompanied by heavy loss of life, and caused, there is much reason to fear, from practical joking, carried to a foolish extent. An Italian circus from Milan, belonging to Messrs Priami and Pierantoni, constructed of wood and capable of accommodating between 3,030 and 4.CCD persons, was erected on the Grande Place, where the bi-annual fair, is being held. Last night it was crowded Upwards of 1,500 persons were refused admittance. Reserve, seats face the entrance; the first-class seats are in the.front rows, the second-class are in the back and in the gallery... During fc'w.v! le of the performance a number of young workmen in the gallery kept making a noise. Towards the end of tbe performance, during the representation, of the pantomime, "Le Medecin de Campagne," this band of young men rose from tbeir seats, causing those near to follow their example. At this moment an unknown person shouted " aufeu " cpusrng an immediate stampede down the inclined plane on either side of the ch'cus serving for the entrance and exit of the second-class. The persons who first rcacLed the bottom of the staircase, instead of making for the door by which they bad entered, attempted to open an extra door reserved for cases of^ emergency. Th's door opening inwards instead of outwards, a block immediately ensued, people jumping down from the gallery upon those jostling below. Monvoisin, Oommissaire de Police, with M. Durette, Commandant, and other officers used their utmost endeavours to calm the audience. Many kept their seats, but others in a panic burst open the outer enclosure and jump 3d into the street. Others, again occupying seccjd places, broke down the partition dividing them irom the first and pushed into the front rows, then into the arena, and sj out through the stables and the stage door. Four firemen always on duty at the stables, one of them a bugler, hearing the first alarm of fire and seeing the people rushing out, shouted out " Fire." The watchman at the adjoining belfry immediately rang the note of warning, alarming the town and garrison. The Infantry and artillery were soon on ,the spot. Though not needed to extinguish fire, they did useful service in conveying the wounded to the Hotel de Ville. From a pile of bodies around the doors were taken nine corpses—two men, four boys, one woman, and two girls. A quarter of an hour later another boy died. This morning two were found mortally, thre3 severely, and 14 slightly, wounded. Among the victims are a father arid a littlo girl, the father struggling to save the child j both were ultimately bruised to death. s The doctors of the town, inoluding Dr Hughes, an Englishman, and the military surgeons were up all night. The funeral of the victims will be next Wednesday, the expenses to be borne by the towns of Calais and St. Pieire. The circus will also give a benefit representation for the victims on Thursday. ■

Feb. 6. The number of deaths cauaert by tbe panic last Sunday night at the Calais Circus now amounts to 12 ; there are a 150.20 wounded. Owing to many persons having lost watches and other valuables, the false alarm of " Fire! " has been attributed to pickpockets. A quantity.however.of shawls, earrings, brooches, &c, have been taken from the debris. The victims were buried ' iliis morning at 11 o'clock, the expenses being paid by the Mjjsypipalifcy. A teaching and impressive sceWwas presented as t'ae long procession wended its way through crowds of solemn spectators who lined the streets of the town embraced in the line of route. Each coffin was followed by the family of the deceased. After a long string of bodies came M. £Tajean, SubPrefect of Boulogne, in whote Arrondissement Calais is situated. The Maire of Calais, the Procureur de la Eepublique, the, members of the Municipal Council, a number of civil and military authorities Bnd other leading inhabitants, the town band and a military escort were among those in attendance. After High Mass at church had been said, the procession proceeded on its way to the cemetery outside the town. The funeral concluded with some speeches from the Sub-Prefect and the Maire.—Times, Feb. 8.