October

The 1966 Aberfan Mining Disaster

October 21

On October 21, 1966, the small village of Aberfan in South Wales was devastated by a catastrophic collapse of a coal waste tip. The avalanche buried Pantglas Junior School and nearby homes, claiming the lives of 116 children and 28 adults. This disaster, a result of ignored warnings and industrial negligence, left a profound impact on the community and led to significant changes in mining regulations.