Welsh churches pray for victims of mining tragedy

Prayers are being said in churches across Wales today for the four men who died in a flooded colliery in the Swansea Valley last week.

Phillip Hill, 45, Charles Breslin, 62, David Powell, 50, and Garry Jenkins, 39, all died when the Gleision Colliery near Cilybebyll, Pontardawe, flooded on Thursday.

Flowers and cards have been left near the mine by grieving relatives and other locals.

Churches had been praying during the rescue effort and said they would be offering their prayers again during services today.

Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Matthew Burns said that the miners and their relatives and friends were known to parishes of the Swansea Valley in particular.

“We wish to express our sense of grief and our common sharing in the sadness of those bereaved by this terrible and unexpected disaster,” he said.

A special prayer has been issued for parishes to use asking God to give courage and support to the individuals and communities as they come to terms with the tragedy.

An inquiry has begun into the deaths of the four men and local Neath MP Peter Hain has launched the Swansea Valley Miners Appeal Fund to support the victims’ families.

Writing on the appeal’s website, Mr Hain said: “The deaths of four miners at the Gleision Colliery was the worst mining accident Wales has seen for generations.

“This tragedy is a stab through the heart of the community. We can’t even imagine what the families are going through.

“But they need our help to survive and recover in the future. So today I am launching an appeal fund to help support them and will be announcing other patrons shortly.”