April 18 1925
IN the bomb outrage in the Lveta Nedelia Cathedral yesterday, among those definitely known to be killed are the Chief of Police M Kissioff, the Deputies MM Kolutcheff and Ratchef, the former War Ministers M Neresoff, and General Nedenoff and M Leharskey.
The Prime Minister’s [Aleksandur Tsankov] private secretary, M Liapcheff, the former War Minister, has given me the following first-hand account of the explosion: - “Suddenly a tremendous explosion occurred, and all became dark. Fortunately, I was standing almost below a pair of arches, and I escaped without injury, not even losing my balance.
A minute later the fumes began to disperse, and with six or seven others I found myself standing while everyone else was lying on the ground.
Fragments of masonry were falling from the walls and the roof, where the bomb had in all probability been placed.
Gradually, amid groans and cries, the congregation, which a minute before had been listening to Monseigneur Stephan, Archbishop of Sofia, began to show signs of life.
There was a general rush towards the doors and windows, many of which were now wide gaps. Happily, none of the officiating priests were killed, and a few seconds later the work of rescue was begun. Many deeds of bravery were performed, and the greatest chivalry was shown towards the women and children”.
No clues whatsoever have been obtained as to the identity of the actual perpetrator of the outrage in the cathedral, but public opinion is overwhelmingly disposed to believe that the Communist-Anarchist malcontents were responsible for the crime.
A Reuter message from Vienna says: - Despite the censorship, the following details have come through regarding yesterday’s bomb outrage in the Cathedral at Sofia.
The number killed is given as 200 and the wounded 2,000.
The Cathedral building has been wrecked.
Over one hundred persons have been arrested in various parts of the country.
The streets of Sofia are deserted, and the city is surrounded by troops, and the entire frontier has been closed.
Among the dead are the Prefect of Police, the Prefect of the Department, General Davlov, several retired generals, and four deputies. The whole town is in mourning.
The bomb attack was carried out by members of the Bulgarian Communist Party who blew up the cathedral’s roof during a funeral service for General Konstantin Georgiev who had himself been assassinated by communists.
