In the village of Aberfan, Wales, the accumulation of colliery spoil tips, which are piles of waste material from coal mining, caused a catastrophic disaster when one of these tips slipped and cascaded down the hillside on a slope adjacent to the village. This massive landslide occurred on a Friday morning and buried a row of houses and the local school, Pantglas Junior School, under tons of coal waste. The disaster tragically claimed the lives of 144 individuals, including 116 schoolchildren aged between 7 and 10. The early morning timing meant that many children were present in the school, preparing for the day's activities.

The spoil tip had been deemed unstable prior to the disaster, and community concerns about its safety were known, but no action had been taken. The local coal mine operated in the area, contributing to a significant amount of waste stored on the hills. The combination of heavy rain and the saturation of the spoil with water left it vulnerable and unstable, resulting in the heartbreaking collapse that struck about 9:15 AM, just as many children were arriving at school.

In the aftermath, rescue efforts focused on digging through the debris to find and save survivors. Despite these efforts, the scale of the catastrophe meant that most recovery was aimed at recovering bodies rather than rescuing those trapped. The local community was forever changed, and national outrage sparked significant reforms in health and safety regulations regarding mining waste disposal. Schools were built in the area to commemorate the young lives lost, and special services were held in mourning.