The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-09-22
OF.
.OPPAU EXPLOSION
HAS BEEN ORDERED
ESTIMATE OF NUMBERS DEAD
RANGES AS HIGH AS 1,5OO;
SECOND TINE CITY DE.
STROYED.


Mayence, Germany, Sept. 22.-
French troops and volunteer work.
ers toiled through the night in the
ruins of the Badische Anilene com
pany's war-born chemical plant at
Oppau. where hundreds of workmen
were killed by an explosion yester-
day morning. Estimates of the num-
bers of dead ranged as high as l 800
early today, but definite figures were
obviously impossible. More than 800
bodies had been recovered, however,
and it was known that at least l 800
persons were injured by the blast.
Oppau was very virtually swept away
and the explosion hurled desoation
over the wide district on the Rhine
The scene Of the explosion was
more than 3 miles from Mannheim,
but every window of that city was
shattered BY the concussion.
The shock was felt in towns fifty
miles away.
There were hundreds CT workmen
at or near the Inflated plant at 1880
o'clock when the explosion occurred
and there were wild rumors regarding
the loss of life yesterday and last
night. These could not be confirmed
but 1t appeared certain that the cas-
ualty list would " appalling.
Immediately after the blast every
means Of rescuing injured and bring
ing out the dead We're utilized, but
several minor explosions prevented
workers from entering the grounds
for long time. Great clouds Of
chemical fumes hung over the ghast.
ly scene of ruin and the first men
TO enter the place were compelled to
wear gas masks The fumes spread
as far as Mannheim and Ludwig
/ shafen and tended to heighten the
fears Of the frightened people.
An investigation OF the explosion
has been ordered by the authorities
but those who have visited the ruins
declare there is little upon which a
OF the Badische company have dis.
appeared and only great hole In
the ground marks the site OF the main
structure. II is theory OF those
who have visited the ruins declare
there Is little upon which n finding
can be basel. The buildings of the
| Podische company have dis Wpeltcd
and only a great hole in the ground
marks the site of the maih structure.
| It Is 4 theory Of those IN niliar with
the plant that at least two gaso.
meters exploded. and that nitrogen
compounds stored in the buildings,
or in process Of manufacture were
detonated Nitrogen products are
unstable as a rule and II is believed
the first explosion which was rela-
lively light, set off great masses OF
chemicals. Another theory is that
a nitrogen tank let go and that four
others were set off by the concus
sicn. order Is being maintained in
the town of Oppau and vicinity By
French soldiers. that district being
within the French zone OF occupation
The base OF the French forces In
that region is at Ludwigshafen, on
the west bank OF the Rhine. from
which place the troops were rushed
to the scene of the disaster.
This is the second time Oppau has
been destroyed. In 1883. dam burst
above the town and the place was
swept 10y wall OF water.
General Degoutte. in command OF
French forces OF occupation, wen
from this city to oppau and immediate
ely sent for the sanitary staff - III,
army on the Rhine. lie has organic
ed kitchens TO feed the families o
victims OF the disaster and the higl
commissioner has given $4,000 marks
to the workers syndicate To alleviate
distress.