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Piper Alpha anniversary honoured Piper Alpha anniversary honoured
(30 minutes later)
The 20th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster is being marked with both on and offshore memorial ceremonies. The 20th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster is being marked with memorial ceremonies both onshore and offshore.
A total of 167 men died in the North Sea platform disaster on 6 July, 1988. There were 61 survivors.A total of 167 men died in the North Sea platform disaster on 6 July, 1988. There were 61 survivors.
A remembrance service took place at 1400 BST at the Kirk of St Nicholas in Aberdeen to mark the anniversary. A remembrance service took place at the Kirk of St Nicholas in Aberdeen to mark the anniversary.
An Act of Remembrance at the Piper Alpha Memorial in Hazlehead Park will take place at 1600 BST. A wreath will also be placed at sea. An Act of Remembrance at the Piper Alpha Memorial in Hazlehead Park is taking place and a wreath will also be placed at sea.
Stories of sacrifice
The simultaneous event offshore on the Piper Bravo platform will see the wreath placed in the sea towards the spot where the Piper Alpha stood.The simultaneous event offshore on the Piper Bravo platform will see the wreath placed in the sea towards the spot where the Piper Alpha stood.
Leading the service in Aberdeen is Oil and Gas UK Chaplain Andrew Jolly, who said: "It's an opportunity both for the families who lost people in this dreadful tragedy, for those who survived, and for the industry to acknowledge the terrible events that happened that day. The Aberdeen service was led by the Rev Andrew Jolly, chaplain to the UK oil and gas industry.
"This was the largest disaster of its nature ever so it's inevitable that people will remember it very, very clearly. During an emotional service in which the names of each of the 167 victims was read, Rev Jolly warned against allowing them to become a "statistic".
"There was a real sense of pain and sadness in the city, you could feel it, it sent shock waves round the city." He said that the people of Scotland should "hang our heads in shame" if the victims were ever forgotten.
"There must always be names with faces, stories of sacrifice and oflove, devotion and faith, so that what has gone on before does not become just another statistic," he said.
"If we as a community, or as an oil and gas industry, or as a city, or as acountry allow that to happen, we should hang our heads in shame.
"Today here in this kirk we will remember them by name, reminding us not just who they are, but who they were and who they will always be to those who knew and loved them."
Industry safety experts believe lessons have been learned Forever synonymous with tragedyIndustry safety experts believe lessons have been learned Forever synonymous with tragedy
As the names were read out, many of the hundreds who gathered in the church wept.
The Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney, the Rt Rev Dr Robert Gillies, said: "The Piper Alpha oil disaster cast a deep shadow over the city of Aberdeen and beyond.The Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney, the Rt Rev Dr Robert Gillies, said: "The Piper Alpha oil disaster cast a deep shadow over the city of Aberdeen and beyond.
"The memory of that horrific tragedy has become acutely focussed in the city's thinking."The memory of that horrific tragedy has become acutely focussed in the city's thinking.
"But along with the sadness this will rekindle, there is also the appreciation of the way rescue, medical and pastoral services combined.""But along with the sadness this will rekindle, there is also the appreciation of the way rescue, medical and pastoral services combined."
A major gas leak just before 2200 BST on the night of the tragedy was followed by fire and a series of explosions on the North Sea platform.A major gas leak just before 2200 BST on the night of the tragedy was followed by fire and a series of explosions on the North Sea platform.
The heat ruptured a gas pipeline from another platform causing another massive explosion and fireball that engulfed Piper Alpha.The heat ruptured a gas pipeline from another platform causing another massive explosion and fireball that engulfed Piper Alpha.
Many of the 61 who survived had to jump into the sea far below.Many of the 61 who survived had to jump into the sea far below.
Offshore industry
Twenty years on, Piper Alpha remains the world's worst offshore disaster.Twenty years on, Piper Alpha remains the world's worst offshore disaster.
Industry safety experts believe lessons have been learned and that the offshore industry is safer.Industry safety experts believe lessons have been learned and that the offshore industry is safer.
BBC Scotland has told the story of the thoughts of survivors, widows, relatives and the industry in the past week in a series of articles on television, online and on radio to mark the 20th anniversary.BBC Scotland has told the story of the thoughts of survivors, widows, relatives and the industry in the past week in a series of articles on television, online and on radio to mark the 20th anniversary.
A play which pays tribute to the 167 men who died finishes on Sunday night.A play which pays tribute to the 167 men who died finishes on Sunday night.
Lest We Forget is being performed at The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen. It charts the lives of four fictional characters affected.Lest We Forget is being performed at The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen. It charts the lives of four fictional characters affected.