Key facts
- King Charles called the Aberfan disaster the "most tragic of days imaginable".
- The disaster occurred on October 21, 1966, killing 116 children and 28 adults.
- A minute's silence was observed at 09:15 BST.
- The National Coal Board was found responsible for the disaster in a 1967 inquiry.
King Charles has marked the 60th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, describing it as the "most tragic of days imaginable." The disaster on October 21, 1966, saw 144 people, including 116 children, killed when a colliery spoil tip collapsed, engulfing Pantglas Junior School and nearby houses with coal slurry. The King visited the Aberfan memorial garden to pay tribute to the community's strength and resilience. A minute's silence was held at 09:15 BST, followed by church bells ringing 144 times. An official inquiry in 1967 found the National Coal Board responsible, but no one has ever been prosecuted. Prince William also attended, unveiling a memorial tree at a local primary school.