The Disaster That Buried A School

In 1966, a massive mountain of coal waste liquefied after heavy rain and engulfed a Welsh primary school. This tragedy claimed 144 lives, most of whom were young children trapped inside their classrooms.

The disaster occurred because mining waste was dumped directly over natural underground springs on a steep slope. When the mound finally gave way, a slurry of debris hit the village with the force of a landslide. Despite clear warnings about the danger of the waste heaps, the National Coal Board ignored the risks until it was far too late. The event remains a harrowing reminder of corporate negligence and changed safety regulations for waste disposal forever.