Aberfan commemorates the 144 victims of the mining disaster
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Sowetan
King Charles III, Queen Camilla and Prince William will visit Aberfan for the 60th anniversary of the mining disaster that killed 144 people, including 116 children. The royal family will lay wreaths and meet survivors and relatives of victims, according to Sowetan.
King Charles III, Queen Camilla and Prince William will travel to Aberfan in south Wales on Wednesday 21 October to mark the 60th anniversary of the mining disaster that killed 144 people. They will lay wreaths in a memorial garden and meet survivors and bereaved families, Reuters reports.
The mudslide occurred after several days of heavy rain in 1966, when a coal tip collapsed onto the village school and nearby houses. Among the victims were 116 children, most of them aged between seven and 10.
Jeff Edwards, who was eight when he survived the disaster, will speak at a community centre. The King will also give a speech before visiting the village’s new school to unveil a memorial sculpture. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has sent his thoughts to the people of Aberfan on the anniversary.
Queen Elizabeth II visited the village eight days after the disaster and returned several times. On the 50th anniversary, she recalled a visit with Prince Philip and a bouquet given by a young girl, bearing the message “from the remaining children of Aberfan”.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
