Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the memory of Aberfan and its children will "forever" be in people's hearts, as he laid a wreath at Aberfan cemetery ahead of the 60th anniversary of the disaster on Wednesday, October 21. He described coal tip safety as of "critical importance" during the visit.
Landslips at Tylorstown in 2020 and Cwmtillery in 2024 have highlighted the risks associated with Wales' 2,600 disused coal tips and the need for their continued management. There has been an ongoing dispute about who should be responsible for paying to make coal tips safe, given the vast majority of mining took place before the devolution era.
Funding and Safety Commitments
"Obviously it's of critical importance that we make sure that all of the remaining tips around Wales are safe, indeed across the country," Mr Burnham said. "I represent a former mining community myself, so I fully understand the importance of these issues."
"The UK Government is providing around £140m to the Welsh Government and they are adding some extra funding themselves. The funding is there, there's an organisation that is being set up to manage all of these ongoing risks," he added. "I can give you that commitment that, of course, we will make sure that all the right things are done to make all communities across Wales safe."
Remembering the Victims
The Prime Minister visited Aberfan and spoke to survivors and families ahead of the 60th anniversary of the disaster, which killed 116 children and 28 adults. An entire generation was almost wiped out when 150,000 tonnes of coal waste slid down the hillside before engulfing Pantglas Junior School on October 21, 1966.
The disaster unfolded following days of heavy rain, when excavated mining debris from the Merthyr Vale Colliery was dislodged and came thundering down the hillside. The waste material had been piled high on the side of Mynydd Merthyr – above Aberfan – for years, even though there were numerous underground springs below. About half the children from the junior school died in the tragedy, which happened on the last day before half-term.
Along with Welsh secretary Stephen Kinnock, the Prime Minister met Jeff Edwards, who was the last survivor to be rescued from the wreckage of the school. Mr Burnham laid a floral wreath with a card that said: "We will forever hold the memory of Aberfan and its children in our hearts." He then visited the Aberfan Disaster Memorial Garden, which is on the site of the former school, and spoke to David Davies, chairman of the Aberfan Memorial Charity, and Mair Morgan, the last surviving teacher from the school.
Prime Minister's Reflections
Speaking afterwards to broadcasters, Mr Burnham explained why he had decided to come to Aberfan. "I felt it was very important to mark the significance of the anniversary on Wednesday," the Prime Minister said. "It's been 60 years since one of the most horrifying tragedies this country has ever seen. All of those children lost. It was something that my mum and dad spoke to me about as I was growing up."
He wrote similar words in a piece for WalesOnline. He added: "So here to recognise the community, what the community has been through, but just in the community centre to thank them for being there for each other. The strength of the community today is something to see and something to feel. To say also to them, I don't think Aberfan was treated properly by the authorities and that also needs to be recognised because at a moment like this, I think all of those things need to be said and it's right that the Prime Minister is here to say that to them."
Commemorative events will take place on the 60th anniversary, with the King, Queen, and Prince William set to attend events on Wednesday.
