logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2017
35m 6s

The Aberfan Disaster

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode
In 1966, a mining disaster in Aberfan, Wales, killed 144 people. It was a completely preventable tragedy, but none of the victims were in the mine itself, and 116 of them were children. 
Up next
Today
Behind the Scenes Minis: Mary, Beulah, Baby Alive
Tracy shares a story of looking for an article in the wrong historical journal. Holly reads a section of the U.S. flag code, and waxes rhapsodic about toys.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
33m 26s
Aug 26
Beulah Louise Henry
Beulah was such a prolific inventor in the early 20th century that the press nicknamed her Lady Edison. She was an outlier as an unmarried woman who got her foot in the door as an inventor by pounding the pavement in 1920s New York. Research: Bengtson, Harlan H. “Beulah Louise He ... Show More
39m 38s
Aug 24
Mary Mallon & Typhoid Revisited
Mary Mallon became known as Typhoid Mary in the early 20th century. She has often been vilified in in modern references, though her story is actually quite complex. Research: "Mary Mallon." Encyclopedia of World Biography Online, vol. 21, Gale, 2001. Gale In Context: Opposing Vie ... Show More
39m 52s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2025
The Gleision Mine Disaster: Episode 448
There have been many miners killed across the UK, in a series of terrible accidents in an industry that has always been known as dangerous. But when we think of coal mining disasters they tend to be in the 18th and 19th centuries, including the worst mining disaster in UK history ... Show More
30m 2s
Nov 2019
Episode 3: Aberfan
On the 21st of October 1966, a devastating tragedy befell the Welsh mining village of Aberfan, claiming the lives of 116 children and 28 adults. In this episode, we hear from head of research Annie Sulzberger, lead director and executive producer Ben Caron, and BAFTA award-winnin ... Show More
43m 59s
Mar 2023
Hillsborough Disaster Pt. 1
Saturday, April 15th, 1989, was set to be a highly-anticipated semi-final football match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. It wound up being one of the deadliest tragedies in football history, with 96 spectators losing their lives. And it seemed nobody was going to be held ... Show More
38m 29s
Oct 2016
The Aberfan disaster and women who made history
As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, historian and producer Steve Humphries talks about how the Welsh village has coped with the tragedy. Meanwhile, we are joined by Woman’s Hour presenter Jenni Murray to discuss some of the figures she's chosen for her ne ... Show More
43m 35s
Jul 2025
The Titanic Question
What if a seemingly unremarkable choice could have prevented one of the most infamous disasters of all time? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. 
32m 38s
Jan 2020
Short Stuff: Byford Dolphin Incident
<p>In 1983, what may be the worst diving catastrophe in the history of deep sea oil exploration took place when a pressurized chamber was opened, instantly killing four divers inside.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">h ... Show More
13m 14s
Jun 2024
Kielland disaster
In 1980, 123 men were killed when the Alexander L. Kielland platform capsized in the North Sea oil fields.It was Norway's biggest industrial disaster and led to a range of safety improvements for those working in the country’s oil and gas sector. Lars Bevanger speaks to survivor ... Show More
9m 16s
Apr 2021
Selects: The Unsolved Mystery Disappearance of the Sodder Children
<p>In 1945 a house fire took the lives of five children - except that their bodies were never found. In this classic episode, dive into the longstanding mystery of the odd circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the Sodder children.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-cho ... Show More
44m 13s