The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-11
lRx Associatcd Press. !

PARIS. March lO--A mining catastrophe
Of incalculable horror and magnitude has
stricken the great coal center Of northern
France. An explosion of fire-dnmp at =
o'clock this morning carried deata and
destruction throughout the network of
coal mines centered at Courricres and
fire followed the explosion, making rescue
difficult and almost impossible.
The intense excitement and confusion
in the vicinity prevented early estimates
of the exact loss of life. but dispatch
received here ut 4:35 2. NJ. gave 1,4O4
miners cntombed and probably lost. At
s:!5 o'clock this evening a brief Dispatch
from Lille announced the total of l,lS;i
dead.
All France has been profoundly shocked
by the ma Gni.nds of the disaster. which
is said to be the greatest in the history
of Continental mining.
i President Fallierss sent his secretary,
accompanied by Minister of Public Works
Gautier and Minister of the Interior
Dubef. on a special train to tho scene
of the disaster
Tho ministerial crisis was temporarily
forgotten, senators and deputies joining
in the universal manifestations of sor-
row.
In the Mining Region.
The scene of the catastrophe is the
mountainous mining region near Lens,
in the department of Pas-dc-Calais
Here are huddled small l,amlets of tho
mine workers, who operate the most pro-
ductivc coal mines In France. The sub
terranean chambers form series of tun-
nels. Six of the outlets are near Lens
and others are at Courrierres. Verdun
and many other points. The output or
these mines is particularly combustible
and is largely used In the manufacture
OF gas and in smelling. About 1000
miners work the group of mines. and,
with their families, make population
of from 5000 to 5000 souls.
The catastrophe took place shortly after
1.795 men had descended into the mines
this morning. There was a deafening .x-
plosition which was followed by tho
cages and mining apparatus being hurled
from the mouth of the Courrierres Mine.
Men and horses nearby, outslue the minc.
were either stunned or killed. The roof
of the mine Office was torn OF.
Immediately following the explosion
flames burst from the mouth OF the pl:,
driving back those without who sought
to enter, and booming those within.
The Work of Rescue.
The work OF Attempting to rcs,nc the
imprisoned miners was hastily begun by
officials, engineers and miners from tho
surrounding mines, who formed parties
and made heroic efforts to penetrate the
smoke and foul gases and bring out the
imprisoned men,
The families OF the entor,hed miners
crowded about the Ehaft, seS>.ng fathers
or husbands and threatening in their ef-
forts to obtain details TO force hack t.lo
gendarmes who kept them from the mouth
Of the pit
The populace OF the district is appalIed
by the disaster, which affects every house.
hold.
Those persons who were rescued were
terribly burned. The latest estimates
place those taken out at sol.
Throughout the afternoon the heroic
efforts at rescue were Continued. but
nightfal brought the ceavistion that the
entombed men had been suftocated, and
the dispatch fscul Lille ut S:45 p. NJ. an
nouncing the number of death at l,l93,
appears to remove the last hope that
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