The Tragic Story of the Aberfan Disaster in 1966
The Aberfan tragedy, caused by a landslide of mining waste, claimed the lives of 144 people, mostly children. This heart-wrenching event not only exposed the dangers of the coal mining industry but also showcased the resilience and deep unity within the community.
A Devastating Event
When students at Pantglas Junior School were beginning their morning lessons, a deafening roar shook the area. Within minutes, tons of liquid coal waste cascaded down the hillside, flattening the school and nearby houses.
Amidst the chaos, eight-year-old Jeff Edwards found himself trapped in a heap of debris. For nearly two hours, he struggled to breathe, pinned under a desk, surrounded by the lifeless bodies of his classmates. Eventually, a firefighter discovered Jeff’s blond hair sticking out from the rubble and pulled him to safety.
Jeff was the last child to be rescued, the tenth survivor. The disaster claimed the lives of 144 people, mostly children. The Aberfan tragedy, resulting from heavy rainfall and the improper location of the waste disposal site, remains one of the darkest chapters in the history of the United Kingdom.
A Village Dependent on Coal
Coal was once the backbone of the industry in South Wales, sustaining many communities dependent on high-quality bituminous coal buried under valleys and hills.
Among these communities was Aberfan, a village near Merthyr Tydfil, about 20 miles northwest of Cardiff. Established in 1875, the Merthyr Vale Colliery mine in Aberfan became the largest coal mine in the South Wales Coalfield, generating a massive amount of waste.
For decades, this waste was deposited in several tips on the hills above Aberfan. The geological composition of the area included sandstone, which contained numerous underground springs.
There were seven tips on the hill above Aberfan, with Tip 7 being the central one, involved in the fatal landslide. It was constructed starting in 1958 and, at the time of the disaster, stood at a height of 34 meters.
Contrary to the regulations of the National Coal Board (NCB), part of the tip was built on a water-bearing stratum.
The Tragedy Unfolds
After three weeks of heavy rain, the tip became saturated, causing approximately 140,000 cubic yards (110,000 m^3) of waste to slide down the hillside and engulf Pantglas Junior School. The flow destroyed two buried water pipes and the additional water further saturated the tip.
Witnesses compared the sound of the landslide to that of a low-flying jet or thunder.
On the morning of October 21, 1966, after days of torrential rain, a large amount of coal slurry from the Merthyr Vale colliery tip unexpectedly cascaded into the village. The deluge engulfed Pantglas Junior School, burying 116 students and 5 teachers. Furthermore, the disaster claimed the lives of 28 other villagers.
Immediately following the tragedy, the British government mobilized rescue and emergency support for Aberfan. Queen Elizabeth II visited the village, offering condolences and words of encouragement to the affected community.
Lessons and Remembrance
An investigation into the Aberfan disaster concluded that the primary cause was the failure of the National Coal Board to implement necessary safety measures for the tip. The NCB faced severe criticism for their negligence, which led to this tragic outcome.
The Aberfan tragedy left long-lasting consequences for the Aberfan community. Many residents struggled with the loss of loved ones and the psychological trauma endured. The pain inflicted upon Aberfan will forever echo in the hearts and minds of its residents and the entire nation.
Today, Aberfan has a memorial site dedicated to the victims of the disaster. Every year on October 21, the people of Aberfan hold memorial services to honor the departed and remind the world of this valuable historical lesson.
Reference: Rarehistoricalphotos