Aberfan: 50 years since a tragedy that shook the world

Today marks exactly 50 years since the disaster of Aberfan - when a coal tip slipped down the valley of a small mining village - killing 116 children and 28 adults.

The brutal force of 150,000 tonnes of slurry buried Pantglas Junior School, part of the senior school and a row of houses.

A whole class of 34 children were among those who perished.

It was a tragedy that sent shockwaves around the world.

Miraculously, five children were dug out alive after they had been shielded from the brunt of impact by dinner lady Nansi Williams.

Following the disaster, £1.75 million was donated to Aberfan by well-wishers from more than 40 countries.

The Queen and Prime Minister Harold Wilson were among those who later visited the disaster scene.

An inquiry blamed the National Coal Board for "ignorance, ineptitude and a failure of communications", although no-one lost their job or faced punishment.

There was widespread anger when £150,000 was deducted from the fund to pay for clearing other coal tips around the village.

In 1997, the UK Government finally repaid the money it had been given from the fund - but did not add interest. In 2007, the Welsh Government aimed to right that wrong by paying £1.5 million to the Aberfan Memorial Charity.

But while time has healed some, but not all of the scars, the events of that day have not been forgotten in Wales.

Today, the Welsh Assembly will fly its flags at half mast as a mark of respect to those left devastated by the disaster.

And at 9.15am people will observe a minute's silence.

ITV Wales will be marking the anniversary with a special programme tonight on Wales at Six.

Read more: Aberfan: The Day Our Lives Changed

Catch up: The Aberfan Young Wives' Club