New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-12
PARIS SUBWAY HORROR.


sisted on the bodies being taken 10 the norsue
and barracks in order that the magnitude OF the
catastrophe might be determined
By $50 a. m the number OF the bodies lying
~ tbA uorsr,e had reached forty. and the number
al the barracks Of the municipal guard forty
four making eighty-four altogether. At O'CLOCK
the number of bodies was unoficially estimated
at above one hundred.
HOW THE DISASTER OCCURRED.
The causes of the accident are engaging the
attention of the officials. Several versions OF
the disaster are given, but the main facts which
have been established are the following:
Train No 4S. which caused the accident, came
from Porte Dauphne at the entrance to the
Bots de Boulogne, in the western part OF Paris,
and, passing under the Place de rEtoile, circled
the northern quarter of the city. In this north
ern quarter manufacturing section-the train
picked up numbers of workrnen, who, after their
days work, were returning to their homes in
the populous eastern wards Of the city. On
reaching the neighborhood of the Cemetery Of
Pere la Chaise, the electrical motor failed to
act properly. and the train waited at the sta
ton of Les Couronnes until the arrival of
second train, which pushed the crippled train
forward, making total of sixteen coaches.
After proceeding about two hundred yards
toward the Menilmontant station the damaged
dynamo set fire to the engine of the first train.
The fire burned ferceIy raising quantities of
smoke. simultaneously the electric lights on the
trains went out. leaving the passengers In total
darkness except for the light of the burning
engine far ahead. This inpeded the progress
of the trains toward Menilmontant The terror
stricken passengers got out and tried to grope
their way back to Les Couronnes. The powerful
electrical current which continued IN the rails
is believed to have stunned or killed many. A
number OF passengers managed to reach Les
Couronnes station, but the main body of the
passengers was overcome by the heat and
smoke.
THIRD TRAIN ADDS TO HORROR.
A terrible panic occurred among those behind
and the horror OF the situation was increased by
a third train crashing into the fiery mass and
adding another crowd Of panic stricken passen-
gers to those seeking an outlet. The officials at
the stations were the first to become aware of
the disaster by the clouds of smoke rising from
the tunnel and the staggering forth of a few
OF the stronger men and two women who had
been able 60 make their way through the dense
smoke and darkness. Those who got out were
unable TO give any information concerning the
others left behind, but they told OF stumbling
over bodies all along the tracks
The cars continued to burn until twenty were
consumed. The burning wreckage gave forth
a fierce heat, which puffed out of the mouths
OF the stations OF Les Couronnes and MeniI-
nontant Most Of the trainmen escaped, but
the conductor of the train causing the accident
was seriously injured. The escape Of the train
men is attributed not to their lack of attention TO
the passengers, but to their superior knowledge
of the subterranean passage. which enabled
them to hasten forward in spite Of the obscurity
Several soldiers were among those who effected
[ SIio
ever, and were taken to a hospital
A number Of heroic incidents occurred One of
the employees Of the road nearly lost his life in
seeking to make his way through the smoke to
aid the victims. and is now in hospital Sew
eral soldiers and fremen risked their lives I'm
attempting TO succor the passengers. NJ Lepine
the Project Of Police. ran great risk in entering
the tunnel.
FRENCH PREMIERs INSPECTION.
The catastrophe has caused intense excite
ment through the city even the Humbert trial
being forgotten in the widespread feeling of
horror and grief. At noon Colonel Meaux ST
Marc, on behalf of President Loubet visited
the morgue. and the Premier. NJ. Combes, went
TO the scene of the disaster. NJ. Hurteaux
Procureur of the Republic and Judge JoIot of
the Seine Tribunal. have proceeded to Les
Couronnes Station to open a judicial investi
cation into the affair
The Premier later entered the tunnel and
made long inspection. He asked the Chief Of
Police for speedy report on the causes of the
disaster and a list Of the victims. and an
nounced his intention Of proposing at a council
of ministers measures for the relief of the poor
families Of the victims. The flag over the Hotel
de Vile has been lowered to halfrnast as sign
of the city's mourning
The chief station master at Les Couronnes
NJ. Didier, has described the events preceding,
the accident. He says he saw the flames run
ming along the gear OF the cars when the first
train passed through the station, and called out
TO the engineer to stop. saying there was not
time 10 reach the next station, but the engi-
neer declared he had ample time, and pro-
ceeded. few minutes later a long blue flame
flashed through the tunnel. followed by VIC
lent defamation. Looking into the mouth Of the
tunnel, M. Didier could flashes from the
burning cars. Great masses of smoke began
to pour out, preventing officials from entering
the tunnel. Men struggled out through the
smoke. Screams could be heard in the distance
amid the cracking of the fire.
Eugene OLIVER. one Of the few survivors, de-
scribes the terrible panic which occurred in the
darkness. The people he says, rushed and
fought with one another, madly seeking to get
away. He was sick but. nerved to desperation,
managed to get through the struggling mass
AS he went he passed over the bodies OF those
who, exhausted. had fallen. but 1t was inn
possible TO render them aid.
oNE-THIRD OF VICTIMS WOMEN.
The names and occupations Of the victims give
evidence Of their humble condition. The names
are characteristic Of the French working
classes and occupations are given as painter,
mason, plumber, tailor. seamstress, locksnith
etc About every third name is that of a