New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-09-22
Chemical Plant at Oppau
That Made First Poison
Gas of War, Blows Up;
1000 Reported Injured
French Physicians
Rushed to Rescue
Heartrending ScenesMark
Recovery of Bodies;
Disaster Laid to Excess
Pressure in Casometers

i
MAYENCE, Germany, Sept. 81
lBy The Associated Press) A
rreat explosion to-day at the chemi-
ral products plant of the Badische
anilinfabrik Company at Oppau, on
+ the Rhine, wrecked the town and
,uread death and destruction on
srery hand. The number of killed is
rsriously estimated at from one
thousand to fifteen hundred and the
injured close to two thousand. One
report says that there were three
thousand men on the spot at the mo-
rent Of the explosion, and it is be-
eyed that about half of these were
hlled.
The town of Oppau is scene of
liter desolation, more than a third
II the houses having been complete
y destroyed, while the roofs of the
ahers were swept off as if by a
vhirlwind. Here also many were
Tiled or injured.
Laid to Excess Pressure
Tie explosion is attributed by some
% excess pressure in two adjoining
| ,ssometers, the whole of this part of
iae works being literally pulverized.
Ehere the gasometers stood is now a
unnel-shaped hole 1870 yards wide and
! yards deep, while twisted girders
I'd debris of every description lie
sstsered about. For a, distance of
assal hundred yards not wall is left
spaing.
~ directorate Of the company is
nv as saying that. the explosion
auFed in storehouse containing
A@ tons of nitrous sulphates, which
Mpreviously been examined and were
sasved to be free from danger of ex-
saion.
al the workmen's dwellings in the
asnity were razed.
A Mannheim, on the opposite bank
the river, thirty-five persons were
sriously injured and two hundred or
sare slightly injured. Ludwigschafen
sports say that three workmen's
ssins were buried under the wreckage
'M many children on their way to
xAool in that town were injured.
hesrtrending scenes were wit
sssed on all sides. At the little ceme-
ny on the outskirts of Oppau there
ge already more than 200 bodies laid
at on the grass. Numerous tomb
Zones we're lifted and hurled in vari-
ms directions by the force of the ex-
siosion. There was not door or win
ieS left intact for radius of three
+ niles.
French Medical Units Aid
French medical units are aiding in
he rescue work. Assistance also has
teen rushed from all the neighboring
l'sns and all public and private motor
ars and vehicles have been requisi-
| toned
The roads leading to Oppau were
soa crowded with people making their
fay to the scene of the disaster.
. The explosion occurred just as shifts
ere being changed at 7:45 o'clock this
sorning
The first explosion came in labora-
sy No. So of the old plant, which was
alted Bodily by the force of the blast
NC then dropped back to earth, killing
ae 600 men employed in the building
that time. Not single worker
aere escaped death, according to one
spoH. Other explosions followed in
suck succession, rendering assistance
sne hsst victims impossible.
toncussions Felt at Mayence
Inc concussions were SO terrific that
10y were felt in this city, some thirty
w mites from the scene, while at
ssanheim, thirteen miles distant, al
ssss every window was shattered.
lany roofs were blown off houses
sa all the windows in the town were
s'ken at Worms. The shock was felt
~ xisr as Frankfort. more than forty
sass away, and many windows were
@sen there.
A, aae whole district was enveloped in
~. "a smoke, which, together with the
ssng OF telegraph and telephone COM
Meatlon with neighboring towns,
,sn,p!eIed s,! the efforts at assistance.
ma s me available fire brigades were
ss. s'ssa 20 the spot, but the work of
sue was found by the relief parties
9e exceedingly difficult.
ss 'ss'ment OF Colonial infantry and
~ Madagascar Regiment from
ID f,ssha1en Immediately proceeded
IL ppsl to preserve order and aid in
Si,...s1k OF rescue. Describing the
sssn;a, captain of the 1st French
fsse'ai infantry, who was an ave
mess, said: -" w
i.ss was riding close to the factory at
Is,s I% N the morning, when suddenly
esm.a dull rumbling. The earth |
am ~ 20 culver and an immense col |
Iana,ai y name and smoke shot up a few !
Iltsiiso Iltsi'so yards from me, followed imme. !
oy an explosion and a rush of
sss.i nuried me and my horse to !
Isa imms. is.a. When ! picked myself up |
Id thst hnse cloud of dust and smoke /
asomsa.s part of the factory near the |
ksns a, All sorts Of objects. |
Mn q blocks, stones and bricks ra;ned I
IN the road ''o "''e"S 'a'''eu
81 s'ant Bursts Into Flame
u s.u,ng cries behind me. turned
II 'Ssslized that the village Of Onnau
Asytiss tSisstroyed as by an earthnuake
IS ns.s ss si.erward the main BUILDINGS OF /
II 6isss ourst into flames, and the air.
llsatv with the fumes Of ammonia. !
Ri minutes after the first explo-
si0 was another. but less vio- |
- fksn. .aIm was quickly given. and in
lss;a, naif an hour after the arst |
nclp arrived. Unfortunately. /
S}s e7. exp blossoms were feared the I
susssd - psss ssvs, !