The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1921-09-24
FATALITIES GROW IN
GERMAN DISASTER
Experimenting With New Gas
Is Said at Paris to Be the
Cause of Catastrophe

estimates OF the numDer OF ueau LroIn
Wednesdays explosion which de-
stroyed the Badische Aniline Com
pany's great chemical plant at Oppau
continued to-day 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.
Eight Hundred Fifty Bodies Found
Bodies of the dead to the number
of $50 had been recovered this fore
noon.
The French and German authori-
ties in the district were continuing
the rescue work to-day in the closet
collaboration.
A German hospital train has ar
rived at Frankfort and a French
train at Treves with injured from
the scene of the disaster.
ppa swept away
Troops and volunteer workers
toiled through the night in the ruins
of the plant. Oppau was virtually
swept away and the explosion hurled
desolation over a wide district on the
west bank of the Rhine between
Mannheim and Frankenthal.
Immediately after the blast, which
occurred at 1880 a. m, every means
of rescuing the injured and bringing
out the dead were utilized, but sever
al minor explosions prevented work
ers from entering the grounds for a
long time.
Rescuers Have to Wear Masks
Great clouds of chemical fumes
hung over the CHASTITY scene of ruin,
and the first men to enter the place
were compelled to wear gas masks.
The fumes spread as far as Mann
helm and Ludwigshafen and tended
to heighten the fears Of the fright
ened people.
An investigation Of the explosion
has been ordered by the authorities
but little is left on which to base a
finding. The buildings of the Radische
Company have disappeared and only
a great hole in the ground marks the
| site of the main structure.
Second Time Town Is Destroyed
1t is a theory of those familiar with
the plant that at least two gasomet-
ers exploded, and that nitrogen com-
pounds stored in the buildings, or in
process of manufacture, were deto-
mated.
Another theory is that a nitrogen
tank let go and that four others were
set off by the conclusion.
This is the second time Oppau has
been destroyed. In 1888 a dam burst
above the town and the place was
swept by a wall Of water.
Dougette Takes Charge
Gen. Dougette, in command OF
French forces of occupation, went
from this city to Oppau, and immed-
lately sent for the sanitary staff of
the army on the Rhine.
He has organized kitchens to feed
the families of victims of the disaster
and the high commissioner has given
$4,000 marks to the workers syndi-
cate to alleviate distress.
Damage $50, 900, 900 Marks
Amsterdam, Sept. 22.-(By the AS
ISOLATED Press).-The total damage
from the explosion in the Badische
Aniline Company's chemical plant at
Oppau yesterday is estimated at $780,
00O, 900 marks, according to Berlin
advices received here to-day.
Gas Experiment Is Blamed
Paris, Sept. 22.-Up to this morn
ing $50 bodies had been recovered
from the ruins at Oppau where the
plant of the Badische Aniline Com
pany blew VI yesterday, 1t was an
nounced in Mayence dispatches. In
jured persons to the number Of $500
had been attended. 1t is reported,
add the advices, that the explosion
occurred during experiments for the
composition for a new gas, the quail
ties of which had not been fully as
certained.