The death toll in yesterday’s mine explosion here reached six today as another of the 19 Jewish youths injured in the blast succumbed in Hadassah Hospital.
All the victims are youthful immigrants from Turkey who were attending the Jewish agricultural school in the demilitarized Government House zone here. The blast occurred some 30 yards from the House itself, which serves as headquarters for the U.N. staff in Jerusalem. Apparently the mine, an anti-tank variety, was overlooked when the area was swept for landmines.
It appears that the party of youths, accompanied by an older man, came across the mine and attempted to get rid of it. After the guide failed to set it off with revolver shots, he permitted one of the boys to pick it up and throw it to one side. The mine struck a rock and was detonated. After the blast, members of the U.N. staff transported the victims to Hadassah hospital in U.N. cars.
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