Aberfan marks 60 years since coal tip collapsed on school and homes, killing 116 children and 28 adults

Summary

People in Aberfan, south Wales, remember the disaster 60 years ago when a coal waste tip collapsed on a school and homes
On 21 October 1966, 116 children and 28 adults were killed when the colliery spoil tip collapsed and engulfed Pantglas Junior School and surrounding houses
Mair Morgan, the last surviving teacher at the school, still remembers having to identify the children who died
An official inquiry found the National Coal Board was responsible for the disaster, but no-one has ever been prosecuted
On the anniversary, King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales laid wreaths at a memorial garden that stands on the site of the school, and joined survivors, bereaved parents and other members of the community
In a speech, the King described how "very special" it is to be back in Aberfan, saying "today in our nation and across the world, thoughts will turn to you in in Aberfan"
A prayer and moment of silence was held at 09:15 to mark the moment the coal spoil struck the village
Warning: This live page will contain upsetting details that some may find distressing

Live Reporting

Edited by Chris Wood, Miriam Barker and Ben Frampton

Last child rescued was spotted because of his white hairpublished at 13:59 BST

Disaster survivor Jeff Edwards has just spoken at the community centre, thanking the royals for their support.
He was the last child to be brought out alive, after rescuers spotted his white hair in the rubble.
Jeff remembers hearing a lot of screaming and shouting immediately after the slurry hit, but this got less and less as children died from trauma and a lack of air.
He believes he was lucky as he had "a balloon of air" around him, adding: "The fire service broke through the window from the hall, and somebody saw my white hair.
"They started digging and eventually they got me out, passing me in a chain from one fireman to another."
It was just after 11:00, and the local greengrocer took him to hospital in the back of his van, with the cabbages and carrots.
Jeff spoke at the community centre in the village, where the King, Queen, and Prince William met survivors and bereaved parents.
He says he and the late Queen Elizabeth II got to know each other well over the years and she referred to him as "the little boy with the blonde hair".
Image source, Getty images/BBC
'He's so lush' - Aberfan residents meet Prince Williampublished at 13:53 BST

Residents Alison and Colin met Prince William when he walked over to the crowd.
Alison said she corrected his pronunciation of Aberfan - after he pronounced it with an f sound, rather than a v sound as it should be - adding: "I absolutely love him, he’s so lush and he’s just like his mother."

Boy, 12, reads Aberfan poem to royalspublished at 13:49 BST

Cooper recites the poem he wrote about the disaster to the Royal Family.
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Cooper, 12, shares poem he read to royals
Royal presence lasting and deeply valued, says survivorpublished at 13:42 BST

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Image caption,
Jeff Edwards, shown standing next to the King, gave a speech
Aberfan disaster survivor Jeff Edwards has just been giving a speech inside the community centre thanking the royal family.
He expressed "profound gratitude" for their "enduring support" towards the community over the decades.
"Amidst the terrible sorrow, we were comforted by those who came to stand with us, to share our grief and offer their support," he adds.
"They have made us feel remembered, respected and valued."

It was the most tragic of days imaginable, says the Kingpublished at 13:39 BST

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King Charles has described how "very special" it is to be back in Aberfan with the Queen and Prince of Wales.
In a speech to those in the community centre, he said it "was and always will be, the saddest and most tragic of days imaginable".
The King added: "Over the years, as once again today, it has been profoundly humbling to hear the testimonies of survivors of relatives who lost their loved ones, and of rescuers who fought so hard to save others during this appalling tragedy."
"Today in our nation and across the world, thoughts will turn to you in Aberfan, hearts far from this valley will ache with yours."
King meets woman who lost daughter in disasterpublished at 13:27 BST
Huw Thomas
BBC News, reporting from Aberfan

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The King met Marilyn Brown, one of the few surviving parents of children who died in the Aberfan disaster.
Marilyn was 32 when her eldest child, Janette, was killed at Pantglas Junior School.
Her son, who was also in the school, was saved by a teacher.
Earlier this week Marilyn met the prime minister when he visited Aberfan, and she said that her daughter didn't want to go to school that day.
"My nephew ran down the street and said 'you'd better come up to the school... there's something gone wrong'."
She remembers being stood waiting for "a long, long time" to find out what was happening.
"We didn't realise then the children had died," she said.
The pain of that day remains with her.
"It's still there. It'll never go away, and I hope people will remember, and they have today," she added.

Handwritten notes from King and Princepublished at 13:19 BST

The wreath from King Charles was adorned with red poppies and included a note which read "in special remembrance".
Prince William also laid a wreath on behalf of his family, which included the Prince of Wales' three feathers in the centre, with a bilingual handwritten message in Welsh and English.
Queen Camilla laid a bouquet of flowers alongside the King's wreath.
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Royals pay respects at memorial garden where school stoodpublished at 13:06 BST

Media caption,
Royals lay wreaths in Aberfan

King and Queen lay wreaths with last surviving teacherpublished at 12:57 BST

The King and Queen laid their wreaths in the memorial garden alongside Mair Morgan, the last surviving teacher from Pantglas Junior School.
Mair was 25 years old when the coal tip collapsed and devastated the school.
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One of the darkest days in Welsh history, says FMpublished at 12:55 BST

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First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, who laid a wreath designed by a teacher at the memorial garden, is greeting the crowds in Aberfan.
In a Welsh government statement earlier today, he described it as “one of the darkest days” in Wales’ history, and that the story of Aberfan will “never be forgotten”.

Royals make their way through the crowdspublished at 12:44 BST

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are making their way down Moy Road towards the community centre in Aberfan.
Despite the sombre atmosphere, people seem happy to see them, as they take pictures, shake hands and exchange pleasantries.
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Marksmen keeping watch as royals arrivepublished at 12:39 BST

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Police marksmen are on the roof of Aberfan community centre ahead of the arrival of the royals.
The three senior royals laid wreaths in a memorial garden, and are now heading to the centre.
They will meet survivors, bereaved parents and members of the community to pay tribute to the 144 people who lost their lives.

King, Queen and Prince lay wreathspublished at 12:37 BST

King Charles, Queen Camilla and Prince William have all laid wreaths in the memorial garden that was built on the site of Pantglas Junior School that was destroyed.
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Royals arrive in Aberfanpublished at 12:35 BST

Crowds shout after King Charles as he arrivespublished at 12:28 BST
Jordan Davies
BBC News, reporting from Aberfan

Members of the crowd shout “King Charles” as he makes his way into the memorial garden, alongside Queen Camilla.
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Prince William arrives at memorial gardenpublished at 12:24 BST
Jordan Davies
BBC News, reporting from Aberfan

Prince William has arrived outside the memorial garden.
The King and Queen are expected any minute.
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Community stood together through adversity - Burnhampublished at 12:24 BST

Andy Burnham has paid tribute to the victims in the House of Commons.
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Burnham said: "Today also marks the 60th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster.
"I am sure the thoughts of the whole house will be with the community today, and with the people of Wales.
"I visited on Monday and heard how the injustices people suffered at the time and in the aftermath of the tragedy at the hands of the state still hurt.
"This is a day to recognise that, say sorry for it, but celebrate the strength and spirit of a community that has stood together through adversity all of these years."
Media caption,
Prime minister makes Aberfan tribute in Commons
Royals arrive in Aberfan by helicopterpublished at 12:14 BST

The King and Queen have arrived in Aberfan by helicopter to pay their respects to the 116 children and 28 adults that were killed 60 years ago today.
It is understood the Prince of Wales travelled separately in another helicopter, before taking a car to the village.
They are expected to meet bereaved families and lay wreaths at the memorial garden.

The day a valleys community changed foreverpublished at 12:08 BST

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Image source, Getty Images
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Flowers children would've seen on hillside chosen for wreathspublished at 11:59 BST

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Flowers that Aberfan victims would have seen in their gardens were chosen for wreaths to be laid at the memorial garden.
Foliage native to the hillsides was also selected, such as ferns, oak, heather.
First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth laid a wreath designed by a teacher with the children and community in mind.
The royals are also set to lay wreaths.