The slurry after the disaster
October 21, 1966: The Aberfan Disaster occurs. A mine collapses in Aberfan, outside Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, about 20 miles northwest of Cardiff and 160 miles west of London. The mine was built over a natural spring, causing hot water to bubble up and spill down a hill into a school, killing 116 children and 26 adults.
A period of heavy rain led to a buildup of water within a colliery spoil tip, causing it to suddenly slide downhill as a slurry, which engulfed Pantglas Junior School, killing 109 children and 5 teachers; and a row of houses, killing an additional 7 children and 21 adults.
An inquiry laid the blame for the disaster at the National Coal Board, but no one was ever prosecuted, imprisoned, or even fined for it.
There had been mine disasters in Britain that killed more people. But this one happened to children, and it happened early in the television era, so it has stuck in the minds of the British public considerably more.
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October 21, 1966 was a Friday. The baseball season had just ended. It was midweek for football. And the NHL played no games that day. But the newly-started NBA season had 4 games that day:
* The Boston Celtics beat the Baltimore Bullets, 111-91 at the Boston Garden. John Havlicek scored 28 points for the defending NBA Champions.
* The Philadelphia 76ers beat the St. Louis Hawks, 119-110 at the Philadelphia Civic Center. Wilt Chamberlain scored 23 points, but that didn't lead the Sixers: Hal Greer scored 30.
* The Chicago Bulls, an expansion team, beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 108-101 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.
* And the San Francisco Warriors beat the Detroit Pistons, 136-119 at the Cow Palace in the San Francisco suburb of Daly City, California. Rick Barry led all scorers on the night with 37.