Wales football team marks Aberfan disaster anniversary

  • Published
Welsh football team at Aberfan memorialImage source, FAW

The Wales football team has visited Aberfan to mark the 50th anniversary of the mining disaster which killed 144 people.

The players visited the memorial garden to pay their respects before rejoining their clubs.

The village was devastated in 1966 when a colliery waste tip collapsed, with slurry engulfing Pantglas Junior School on the last day before half term.

Manager Chris Coleman described the visit as "humbling".

"In a small way we wanted to show our respect and reflect on the tragedy of 50 years ago," he said.

"It puts everything into perspective."

Image source, FAW
Image caption,
Wales manager Chris Coleman chats to an Aberfan resident
Image source, FAW
Image caption,
Gareth Bale in the Aberfan Disaster Memorial Garden
Image source, FAW
Image caption,
Welsh captain Ashley Williams pays his respects