Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-09-22
Find85OBodies In Explosion
Ruins: Hundreds More Dead
Paris Reports That More Than
$500 Were Injured in Blast
at 0ppau, in Germany
RELIEF WORK STARTED
French Troops Search in the
Ruins for Bodies of Men,
Blast Heard so Miles

MAYENCE, Sept. % (By The As
sociated Press)-While estimates of
the number of dead from Wednes-
days explosion which destroyed the
Baedische Company plant at Oppau
continue today at approximately
1900, the total of persons actually
found to have been injured exceeds
the first figures by a wide margin,
Already $500 persons have received
treatment for hurts sustained
through the effects of the explosion
and $50 bodies have been recovered.
The French and German authori-
ties were continuing rescue work
today in the closest collaboration
French and German hospital trains
have arrived at Frankfort.
PARIS, Sept. 22 (By The Asso-
ciated Press)-Up to this morning
$50 bodies had been recovered from
the ruins at Oppau where the plant
of the Badische Aniline Company
blew up yesterday, it was announced
in Mayence dispatches received
here.
Injured persons to the number of
$500 had been attended. 1t is re-
ported, adds the advices, that the
explosion occurred during expert
ments for the suppression OF new
gas.
MAYENCE, Germany, Sept. 22
(By The Associated Press) French
troops and volunteer workers tolied
tarough the night in the ruins OF the
Baeische Aniline Companys war
horn chemical plant at Oppau, where
hundred Of workmen were killed py
an explosion yesterday. Estimates or
the dead range as high as LOU, pue
definite figures were lnposslple.
More than 800 bodies have peen
recovered and it is known more than
1900 were injured. Oppau was Nir-
tually swept away and the explosion
hurled desolation over wide as
trict on the west bank of the Rhlne
between Mannheim and FrankenCnal.
window Breaks 3 Miles Away.
THE scene of the explosion was
more than three miles from man
helm. but every window in that city
was shattered. The shock was felt
fifty miles away. There was nun
dreds of workmen at or near the
Inflated plant at 1880 O'CLOCK Wheli
the explosion occurred ana LIZ ss
were wild rumors regarding the loss
of life Yesterday and last night.
these could not be confirmed, but u
onneared certain the casualty llst
would be appalling.
Jmmediately after the blast every
means of rescuing injured anu prins
ING out the dead were utilized. put
several minor explosions prevented
workers from entering tine grouiiu'
Great clouds of chemical fumes hung
over the scene of ruins ana the Hrst
men to enter the place wore gas
masks. The fumes went as 1ar as
Mannheim and Ludwigshafen ana Ten
ded to heighten the fears or the
frightened people
Probe Is Ordered
Tn Investigation of the explosion
has been ordered but those who vls-
tied the ruins declare there IS !ttie
on which a finding can be based. Inc
buildings of the company have dls-
appeared and only great holes marx
the site of the main structure: IL Is
q theory of those familiar with the
nIant that at least two gasometers
exploded. and that nitrogen COM
Mound stored in the building or IN
process of manufacture were de-
tonated.
Nitrogen products are unstable as
a rule and it is believed the first ex-
nIosion which was relatively light
set off great masses of chemicals.
Another theory is a nitrogen tank let
90 and four others were set off.
Order is being maintained in the
town of Oppau and vicinity by sol
diers The base of the French forces
in that region is at Ludwigshafen on
the west bank of the Rhine from
which place troops were rushed TO
the scene of the disaster.
Destroyed Second Time
This is the second time Oppau has
been destroyed. In 1888 dam
hurst above the town and the place
was swept by wall of water.
General deGouttee In command OF
French forces of occupation went
from this city to Oppau and imme-
diately sent for the sanitary staff OF
the army on the Rhine. He has or
ganized kitchens to feed the famliies
of victims of the disa-ter and the
high commissioner has given 10000
marks to the workers syndicate to
alleviate distress.
ponorf Grpaf Damage