Home / Disasters and Accidents / Aberfan: 60 Years Since Coal Slurry Buried a Village
Aberfan: 60 Years Since Coal Slurry Buried a Village
21 Oct
Summary
- 116 children and 28 adults died when coal slurry buried a school.
- Complaints about the dangerous slag heap were ignored.
- Survivors still suffer from medical issues and trauma today.
On the morning of October 21, 1966, the Welsh village of Aberfan experienced a catastrophic event. An avalanche of 150,000 tonnes of coal slurry descended from a nearby mountain, engulfing Pantglas Junior School and several homes.
The disaster claimed the lives of 144 people, with 116 children and five teachers among the initial victims at the school. Tragically, seven more children and 23 adults perished in destroyed houses along Moy Road.
Previous warnings from villagers and local authorities about the unstable slag heap above the school had been disregarded by the National Coal Board. This inaction proved fatal when the slurry tip, which had been continuously built up, slid.
Even on its 60th anniversary, many Aberfan residents continue to suffer from medical conditions and post-traumatic stress disorders related to the tragedy. The loss of an entire generation under the rubble has left indelible scars on the community's daily life.
