On the 60th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, King Charles III described the tragedy as the "most tragic of days imaginable," paying tribute to the community's strength and resilience. The disaster occurred on 21 October 1966 when a colliery spoil tip collapsed, engulfing Pantglas Junior School and nearby houses in coal slurry, killing 116 children and 28 adults. The King, Queen Camilla, and the Prince of Wales joined survivors and bereaved families at the Aberfan Memorial Garden to lay wreaths and honour those who lost their lives.
An official inquiry in 1967 found the National Coal Board responsible for the disaster, but no prosecutions followed. Survivors and families have long criticised the limited compensation, use of disaster funds for tip removal, and minimal trauma support. Professor Iain McLean highlighted the failure to hold senior officials accountable, including Lord Robens, chairman of the National Coal Board at the time. The anniversary was marked by a minute's silence, church bells, and tributes from the community and officials.
Read the full story: BBC UK News.
Source: BBC UK News. Aggregated summary, not independent reporting.