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N0KFQ > TODAY 11.07.14 16:03l 43 Lines 1831 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 25933_N0KFQ
Read: GUEST
Subj: Today in History - Jul 11
Path: IZ3LSV<IK6ZDE<VE3UIL<JH9YMQ<JE7YGF<7M3TJZ<ZL2BAU<N9PMO<N9PMO<N6RME<
N0KFQ
Sent: 140711/1500Z 25933@N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA BPQK1.4.60
Jul 11, 1978:
Gas fire incinerates crowded campsite
On this day in 1978, a truck carrying liquid gas crashes into a
campsite, crowded with vacationers, in San Carlos de la Rapita,
Spain. The resulting explosion killed more than 200 people; many
others suffered severe burns.
Shortly after 3 p.m. on a hot day on the Mediterranean coast of
Spain, a 38-ton truck carrying propylene gas, used in the
manufacture of alcohol, was traveling on a small, winding road
120 miles south of Barcelona. The truck, owned by Cisternas
Reunidas, may have been on this coastal road instead of the
nearby turnpike in order to avoid paying a toll. For unknown
reasons, the truck crashed into a cement wall. (Some witnesses
report seeing a fire on the truck before the crash.)
Down a hill from the cement wall, 800 people, mostly families on
vacation from Germany and France, were camped out near the beach
in tents and makeshift bungalows. The truck, carrying 1,500 cubic
feet of pressurized liquid gas, plunged down the hill and
exploded in a massive fireball. Flames shot up 100 feet into the
air, killing many people instantly. The resulting crater was 20
yards in diameter. The huge fire and explosion also caused the
camper's portable gas units and cars to blow up. Few of the
survivors were wearing any protective clothing other than a
bathing suit and many of them suffered horrible burns.
The timing of the disaster also contributed to the high casualty
toll. Coming just after lunch, many people had not yet returned
to the nearby beach. In all, 215 people lost their lives. So many
German citizens were involved that German officials arranged for
an airlift of doctors and equipment from Stuttgart to assist in
the relief effort.
73, K.O. n0kfq
N0KFQ @ N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA
E-mail: kohiggs@gmail.com
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