Aberfan Disaster
In short
A catastrophic landslide occurred on 21 October 1966 when a colliery spoil tip collapsed onto the village of Aberfan in Wales. The disaster killed 116 children and 28 adults after a slurry of coal waste engulfed a local school and several houses.
In plain words
A massive pile of waste from a coal mine slid down a hill because of heavy rain and a natural spring. This waste flowed into a primary school and homes, burying many people under thick mud and coal debris.
A simple example
The landslide struck Pantglas Junior School during the school day, catching many children while they were in their classrooms.
Why it matters
The disaster highlighted the extreme dangers of poorly managed mining waste and led to stricter safety laws for spoil tips. It remains a profound symbol of industrial negligence and collective grief in Wales.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse this with a typical mining accident involving a tunnel collapse; this was a surface landslide caused by external waste piles.