Ballymanus mine disaster
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The Ballymanus mine disaster occurred on 10 May 1943 on a beach at Ballymanus, County Donegal, Ireland when local villagers attempted to bring ashore an unexploded marine mine.[1] Eighteen men and boys between the ages of 13 and 34 were killed in the explosion.[2] Another died later.[3]
According to contemporary reports,[4] the mine had been spotted by a number of people, including local youths, some of whom then waded out and tied ropes around it in an attempt to haul it ashore. They were then joined by other men and boys from the local area but as it was being hauled along the beach it is believed to have struck a rock and exploded, killing 18 people instantly. Another died the following day.[5] More than 40 houses in the nearby village were damaged by the blast.
Ireland was officially neutral during World War II, and there would not have been the same level of awareness amongst the public of the dangers of unexploded ordnance as in countries involved in the conflict.[citation needed] Other commentators noted that 15 other mines were made safe in Donegal in the same year, that local senior Garda Síochána members were aware of the mine at least 3 hours before the explosion and expected to secure a cordon around any reported mines. However, while some effort had been made to advise the community of the dangers, the additional actions prescribed in the standing orders had not been taken.[6][7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Victims of Donegal mine tragedy remembered". Irish Times. 11 May 1999. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
- ^ "Doherty calls for war mine apology". Irish Times. 9 June 2011. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
- ^ Gorman, Edward (3 May 1993). "Villagers at peace recall day a mine shattered lives". The Times. No. 64, 634. p. 5. ISSN 0140-0460.
- ^ "EIRE: Death in Donegal". Time. 24 May 1943. Archived from the original on 14 December 2008. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
- ^ "BBC documentary on Donegal's "disaster without parallel"". Derry Journal. 24 May 2010. Archived from the original on 24 July 2014.
- ^ "Government Asked To Apologise To Families Who Lost 19 Loved Ones In Donegal Mine Disaster". Donegal Daily. 23 May 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
- ^ Tubaiste Bhaile Mhánais (in Irish). BBC. Event occurs at 41m 40s. Retrieved 13 April 2018 – via YouTube.