People in Aberfan, south Wales, are remembering the disaster 60 years ago when a coal waste tip collapsed on a school and homes
A prayer and moment of silence was held at 09:15 to mark the moment, and a male voice choir formed in the aftermath of the disaster will sing
On 21 October 1966, 116 children and 28 adults were killed when the colliery spoil tip collapsed and engulfed Pantglas Junior School and surrounding houses
On what was the last day of school before half term, children were settling down to lessons when tragedy struck
Emergency services, miners and people who rushed to the village began an around-the-clock battle to dig out those trapped by the debris
King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince of Wales will then join survivors, bereaved parents and other members of the community
It was said to be the late Queen Elizabeth's biggest regret that she didn't visit until eight days after the disaster - she later returned to the village in Merthyr Tydfil county a further three times
Warning: This live page will contain upsetting details that some may find distressing
Jordan Davies
BBC News, reporting from Aberfan
A line of people, some wearing black ties, gathered on Moy Road near where Pantglas Junior School once stood.
Some were visibly upset on what is an emotional day for this village and community.
People were seen consoling their family members as they shielded from the rain.
Huw Thomas
BBC News, reporting from Aberfan
People have turned out for the anniversary despite the weather
The crowds are lining Moy Road in Aberfan as they prepare for a minute's silence at 09:15.
There are more and more people arriving, despite the weather being cold and wet, with plenty of umbrellas on display on the opposite side of the road to the memorial garden.
First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth is among them to pay his respects.
One of the most poignant artefacts associated with Aberfan is a clock which stopped at the moment coal spoil struck the village - approximately 09:13.
It was picked up by Mike Flynn, one of the rescuers, and has been used since to help illustrate the tragedy.
The clock had been stored in a box in his son's house, but in 2022 he donated it to the national museum at St Fagans to ensure it is preserved for the nation.
"Certainly the Aberfan community and the wider Welsh community really own the clock because of what it stands for and the significance of it," said Mike Flynn Junior.
King Charles III, Queen Camilla and Prince William are set to join survivors, bereaved parents and members of the community to pay tribute to those who died on this day in 1966.
Wales falls silent every year at around 09:13 to mark the approximate time the Aberfan disaster claimed the lives of 144 people, including 116 children.
On the 60th anniversary, the royals will visit the Aberfan Memorial Garden which stands on the site of Pantglas Junior School.
They will spend time with pupils who survived, siblings of those who died, and members of a support group for mothers who lost children.
The Village's Ynysowen Male Voice Choir - formed in the aftermath of the disaster - will also perform.
Image source, Getty ImagesJordan Davies
BBC News, reporting from Aberfan
It’s damp and dark in Aberfan and the air is heavy with the memory of what happened here 60 years ago today.
In the community centre, the heart of anniversary events, people are working hard to make sure today goes as smoothly as possible - as the world’s media lines up outside.
There’s a huge security operation, with roads cordoned off and police officers with search dogs.
At the top of Aberfan, you can see the gleaming white flagstones in the memorial for those who died - a poignant and permanent reminder of this tragedy.
It was the last day before half term, and pupils had just sat down to lessons at Pantglas Junior School in Aberfan.
Just after 09:00, a colliery spoil tip above the small mining community collapsed.
About 150,000 tonnes of slurry slid down the mountain and towards the village, engulfing the school and nearby houses.
The disaster claimed the lives of 144 people, including 116 children.
At the time, Aberfan, in Merthyr Tydfil county, was a village of a few thousand people, just like countless others dotted across the south Wales coalfield.
But its name is now ingrained on the national consciousness, and every year on 21 October, the nation pauses to remember those that were lost.
Stay with us as we bring you live coverage throughout the day as people gather in Aberfan to pay their respects.
Image source, Getty Images