The Aberfan Disaster – A Tragedy in Wales

A long time ago, something very sad happened in a small village in Wales called Aberfan. On 21st October 1966, a huge landslide of coal waste crashed into the village, burying a school and houses. It was one of the worst disasters in Welsh history. Let’s find out what happened and why it is important to remember Aberfan.

Where Is Aberfan?

Aberfan is a small village in South Wales, near the town of Merthyr Tydfil. It was a mining village, where many people worked in the coal mines.

The village had:
Houses where families lived.
A school called Pantglas Junior School.
A railway and roads.

Many people in Aberfan worked in the coal mines, which were very important to Wales at the time.

What Happened on 21st October 1966?

Near Aberfan, there were huge piles of coal waste (called slag heaps or tips) left over from the mines.
Heavy rain made the coal waste unstable, and it began to move.
At 9:15 am, a gigantic landslide of coal and mud rushed down the hillside.
The coal smashed into Pantglas Junior School, burying classrooms full of children.
Villagers, miners, and rescue teams tried to save as many people as possible.

Sadly, 144 people died, including 116 children.

Why Did It Happen?

People in Aberfan had warned the government that the coal tip was dangerous, but nothing was done.

The coal waste tip was placed on top of a stream, which made it unstable.
Heavy rain made the tip collapse and slide down the hill.
The disaster could have been prevented if the warnings had been listened to.

This made people angry and upset, as the tragedy could have been avoided.

How Did People Help?

Rescue workers and volunteers searched through the coal to find survivors.
People across Wales and the UK raised money to help Aberfan families.
A public inquiry found that the government had been at fault for ignoring warnings.

Many families in Aberfan never received a proper apology at the time, but people still remember what happened and honour those who were lost.

Remembering Aberfan

Today, there are memorials in Aberfan to remember those who died.

The Aberfan Memorial Garden is built on the site of the old school.
⚘ People visit to lay flowers and remember the children.
Every year on 21st October, people in Wales pause to remember Aberfan.

It is important to learn from Aberfan to make sure such a tragedy never happens again.

Fun Facts About Aberfan

Queen Elizabeth II visited Aberfan to meet the families after the disaster.
The disaster led to new safety rules to stop coal tips from being dangerous.
The charity fund raised over £1.75 million to help the village.
The Aberfan story was told in the TV series The Crown.

What Can You Do?

Draw a picture of the Aberfan Memorial Garden.
Write a short story about life in Aberfan before the disaster.
Think about safety – What can we do to make sure disasters like this never happen again?

Aberfan is a story of sadness, bravery, and remembrance. Even today, people in Wales will never forget what happened.