King pays tribute to Aberfan on 60th anniversary of disaster

Summarised from 3 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 21 Oct, 17:39 · Archive

King Charles joined survivors and bereaved families in Aberfan on Wednesday to mark 60 years since a coal tip collapse killed 116 children and 28 adults.

On 21 October 1966, 150,000 tonnes of coal waste slid down the hillside above Aberfan and engulfed Pantglas Junior School and nearby houses. The disaster unfolded following days of heavy rain, which dislodged excavated mining debris from the Merthyr Vale Colliery that had been piled high on the side of Mynydd Merthyr for years, despite numerous underground springs below.

About half the children from the school died in the collapse. Emergency services, miners and members of the public began an around-the-clock effort to dig out those trapped by the debris. An official inquiry found the National Coal Board responsible for the disaster, but no one has ever been prosecuted.

On Wednesday, King Charles III, Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales joined survivors and bereaved families in the village, visiting the Aberfan Memorial Garden, built on the site of the junior school, and the nearby Aberfan and Merthyr Vale Community Centre. They laid wreaths and a posy with the last surviving teacher.

During his visit, the King said it had been 'profoundly humbling' to hear the testimonies of survivors. In an address to those gathered, he described the disaster as 'the most tragic of days imaginable' and spoke of 'stories of heartbreak, but also of heroism' and 'the most agonising grief, but also of the most inspiring grace'.

He added: 'Throughout all this, and through all the years, your unconquerable spirit has shone all the more brightly for the darkness which it has overcome. No one should ever have to bear what you, as a community, have endured, but no one could have borne it with greater strength, resilience, or hope. Please know how deeply we feel with your sorrow, how greatly we admire your strength, and how you will, always, be in our hearts.'

On Friday morning, a minute's silence was held at 09:15 to mark the moment the coal spoil struck the village, and church bells rang 144 times for each child and adult who died.

How it is being reported

• Aberfan will always be in our hearts, King tells survivors and familiesAn entire generation was almost wiped out when 150,000 tonnes of coal waste engulfed Pantglas Junior School on October 21 1966.Evening Standard · 21 Oct, 17:25
• Aberfan will always be in our hearts, King tells survivors and familiesAn entire generation was almost wiped out when 150,000 tonnes of coal waste engulfed Pantglas Junior School on October 21 1966.Evening Standard · 21 Oct, 16:40
• Aberfan disaster 'most tragic of days imaginable' says King on 60th anniversaryThe Aberfan Disaster saw 116 children and 28 adults killed when a colliery spoil tip.BBC News · 21 Oct, 16:17
• King says Aberfan ‘will always be in our hearts’ 60 years after coal tip collapse killed 144An entire generation was almost wiped out when 150,000 tonnes of coal waste engulfed Pantglas Junior School in 1966The Independent · 21 Oct, 16:01
• Aberfan will always be in our hearts, King tells survivors and familiesAn entire generation was almost wiped out when 150,000 tonnes of coal waste engulfed Pantglas Junior School on October 21 1966.Evening Standard · 21 Oct, 14:53

In this story: King Charles III · Aberfan · Pantglas Junior School · Merthyr Vale Colliery · National Coal Board

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