King Charles and Queen Camilla mark the 60th anniversary of Aberfan Disaster

King Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by Prince William in marking the solemn 60th anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster, which killed 116 children in 1966. 

60 years later, the community of Aberfan came together to mark the solemn anniversary. On Friday 21 October 1966, 144 people were killed when the coal tips from Merthyr Vale Colliery slipped down a mountainside and buried Pantglas School, twenty houses and a farm in the village of Aberfan.

Of the 144 people killed, 116 were children, most of them between the ages of seven and ten. About half of the children from Pantglas School lost their lives, along with five of their teachers. It was the last day of school before the half-term break.

Earlier today, the King and Queen, joined by the Prince, began their visit to South Wales by spending time in the Aberfan Memorial Garden, which stands on the site of Pantglas School, where 109 children and 5 teachers died when the coal tip collapsed onto the village. A short prayer and a moment of silence was held.

King Charles then laid a wreath at the site alongside Queen Camilla, who laid a posy of flowers. Prince William then laid his own wreath in memory of those who were lost. Throughout the visit, they were accompanied by people with first-hand experience of the disaster and its impact on the community then and today.

A short walk to the Aberfan & Merthyr Vale Community Centre saw the royals meeting residents along the route, many of whom were delighted to see them despite the wind and drizzle.

At the Aberfan Community Centre, the three met retired emergency service members who helped in the hours and days after the coal tip collapsed onto the village, including a 96-year-old woman who was a police officer at the time. They also viewed an exhibition showing the scale of the rescue effort for those involved. Representatives from the police, fire service, St John Ambulance, the British Red Cross and other first responders were also present.

The King, Queen and Prince of Wales then spent time with survivors, bereaved parents, former pupils, siblings of those who so tragically died as well as members of the Aberfan Wives, a support group established for mothers who lost children in the disaster. In the community hall, survivors and family members shared personal reflections on the disaster and its enduring legacy for Aberfan.

Jeff Edwards, who survived the disaster as an eight-year-old pupil at Pantglas School, delivered poignant remarks before inviting the King to speak. The village’s Ynysowen Male Voice Choir also performed; it was formed in the aftermath of the disaster. The choir became a support group for local men to share their experiences.