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

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

How will the anniversary be marked today?published at 08:49 BST

King Charles III, Queen Camilla and Prince William are set to join survivors, bereaved parents and members of the community to pay tribute to those who died on this day in 1966.
Wales falls silent every year at around 09:13 to mark the approximate time the Aberfan disaster claimed the lives of 144 people, including 116 children.
On the 60th anniversary, the royals will visit the Aberfan Memorial Garden which stands on the site of Pantglas Junior School.
They will spend time with pupils who survived, siblings of those who died, and members of a support group for mothers who lost children.
The Village's Ynysowen Male Voice Choir - formed in the aftermath of the disaster - will also perform.
Image source, Getty Images
'The air is heavy with the memory of the tragedy'published at 08:42 BST
Jordan Davies
BBC News, reporting from Aberfan

It’s damp and dark in Aberfan and the air is heavy with the memory of what happened here 60 years ago today.
In the community centre, the heart of anniversary events, people are working hard to make sure today goes as smoothly as possible - as the world’s media lines up outside.
There’s a huge security operation, with roads cordoned off and police officers with search dogs.
At the top of Aberfan, you can see the gleaming white flagstones in the memorial for those who died - a poignant and permanent reminder of this tragedy.

What happened in Aberfan on 21 October 1966?published at 08:34 BST

It was the last day before half term, and pupils had just sat down to lessons at Pantglas Junior School in Aberfan.
Just after 09:00, a colliery spoil tip above the small mining community collapsed.
About 150,000 tonnes of slurry slid down the mountain and towards the village, engulfing the school and nearby houses.
The disaster claimed the lives of 144 people, including 116 children.
At the time, Aberfan, in Merthyr Tydfil county, was a village of a few thousand people, just like countless others dotted across the south Wales coalfield.
But its name is now ingrained on the national consciousness, and every year on 21 October, the nation pauses to remember those that were lost.
Stay with us as we bring you live coverage throughout the day as people gather in Aberfan to pay their respects.
Image source, Getty Images