Aberfan 21st October 1966

[Oggiman]

The King, Queen and Prince of Wales are set to visit Aberfan later this month to mark the 60th anniversary of the disaster which killed 116 children and 28 adults.

Pantglas Junior School and surrounding houses in the village near Merthyr Tydfil, south Wales, were catastrophically engulfed in coal slurry after the colliery spoil tip collapsed on 21 October 1966.

King Charles III, Queen Camilla and Prince William will join survivors, bereaved parents and members of the community on the anniversary to pay tribute to those who died. The royals will visit the Aberfan Memorial Garden which stands on the site of the primary school, and go to the Aberfan and Merthyr Vale Community Centre.

Late Queen Elizabeth II's reaction to the disaster in Aberfan was said to be one of the biggest regrets of her 70-year reign.

Full story HERE and Wikipedia

60th Anniversary Memorial - Will never be forgotten

RIP

 

[gez]

My mother comes from treharris Merthyr and family were spread all around the valleys, when it happened we were stuck to television trying to find if any relatives were involved. A worrying time. Such a sad loss of life due to the greed and incompetence of the mine owners.

 

[Oggiman]

I was born and raised in the South Wales valleys, know Aberfan and Treharris well. Worked in Merthyr Tydfil for 24 years.

My grandfather (RIP) and his 2 sons (RIP) were coal miners in coal pits near Aberfan and underground at time of this disaster.

If any member is ever near the area, it's well worth visiting the memorial gardens and cemetary where the graves for those who perished are sited. Very moving indeed.

 

[Oggiman]

PM Andy Burnham at Aberfan today.

 

[Oggiman]

 

[Janobi]

Literally just come home from my daughters school assembly, where they've discussed this, and paid tribute. Horrible disaster, even after 60 years it's still close to a lot of people in Wales. Profits over people