The Children of Aberfan Left for School Like Any Other Day Then Disaster Struck Without Warning

Teachers prepared lessons.

Nothing appeared unusual.

No one could have imagined that within minutes, one of the worst disasters in British history would unfold.

At around 9:15 a.m., a massive coal waste tip towering above the village suddenly gave way after days of heavy rain.

The enormous pile of mining waste had become saturated with water.

Then it collapsed.

Thousands of tons of black slurry, mud, and debris thundered down the hillside with incredible force.