Piper Alpha disaster victims’ names to be read out at 30th anniversary memorial service
The names of 167 men who died in the Piper Alpha disaster will be read aloud at a memorial service to mark 30 years since the tragedy.
Next Friday marks three decades since an explosion and resulting fire engulfed the oil platform off Aberdeen.
Key Values area=; subarea= breakpoint=desktop; hivis=n; index=4; opos= platform=web,desktop; templ=article; configpagetype=article gs_cat=bespoke_energy_efficiency,gv_death_injury,custom_omg_blacklist,blacklist_vodafone storymeta=piper-alpha-disaster,aberdeen,north-sea-oil
It was the world’s deadliest oil rig accident.
Families and friends of those who died will join industry representatives for an act of remembrance in the Piper Alpha Memorial Garden at Hazlehead Park, Aberdeen.
The event will start at 7pm – chosen to best suit the families and to be closer to the time of the disaster.
The service is being organised by the Reverend Gordon Craig, chaplain to the UK offshore oil and gas industry.
He said: “We may be three decades on from the world’s worst offshore disaster but for families, friends, colleagues and survivors, the memories and feelings of loss are no less.
“Our service will enable those to come together with representatives from the city and industry and remember the loved ones who tragically never made it home.”
Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crockett, who will lay a wreath, said: “The shocking events of that night 30 years ago are imprinted on the Aberdeen memory forever.
“We will never forget that 167 men died in the Piper Alpha tragedy, which is why it is so important that the city of Aberdeen and industry come together for this act of remembrance.
“We want to let those affected, particularly the families, know we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them and that our thoughts are with them now and forever.”
Industry representatives will read aloud the names of those who died and a lone piper will play a lament, which will be followed by a minute’s silence.
Offshore workers unable to make it to the event will be able to pay their respects as the service is being streamed on the UK Oil and Gas Chaplaincy Facebook page.
The Oil Chapel at the Kirk of St Nicholas Uniting in Aberdeen will open on Friday between 12 and 4pm where people can view the original book of remembrance and light a candle.
Source: www.dailyrecord.co.u
