The Aberfan disaster was a catastrophic event that took place on October 21, 1966, in the Welsh village of Aberfan. A colliery spoil tip, destabilized by heavy rainfall, collapsed in a landslide, engulfing the Pantglas Junior School and killing 116 children and 28 adults. The tragedy highlighted deficiencies in regulatory oversight of spoil heaps, prompting public outcry and demands for legislative reforms in industrial safety and environmental practices.