Minutes silence at 9.15am today to mark 50th Anniversary of the Aberfan disaster

At approximately 9.15am on Friday 21st October 1966, Merthyr Vale colliery tip situated on the mountainside overlooking the village of Aberfan, slipped and descended on Pantglas Junior School.

The tip descended like an avalanche destroying both the school and 20 nearby houses in its path, other houses in the vicinity were rendered unsafe for habitation.

Half a million tonnes of coal waste in a tidal wave 40 feet high hit the village.

The school was in session; it being the last day before half term week.

144 children and adults died – 116 were schoolchildren.

Half of all the children at Pantglas Junior School were killed together with 5 of their teachers.

First Minister Carwyn Jones has called on the people of Wales to pause for a minute’s silence at that time.

A day of events to commemorate the disaster will include a service at Aberfan Cemetery at 9:15

“We will never forget the men, women and school children who tragically lost their lives in the Aberfan disaster 50 years ago” said First Minister Carwyn Jones.

“Remembrance is important so future generations understand what happened in Aberfan.

It is a truly heart-breaking moment in our history and no-one who learns about the disaster can fail to be profoundly moved by it.

“Half a century on from the disaster, I hope the country as a whole will come together, with respect and compassion, to pause for a minute at 9.15am on Friday and think of the community of Aberfan.”