This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7490142.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Piper Alpha anniversary honoured Piper Alpha anniversary honoured
(about 1 hour later)
The 20th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster is being marked with memorial ceremonies both onshore and offshore.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 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 is taking place and a wreath will also be placed at sea. An Act of Remembrance was then held at the Piper Alpha Memorial in Hazlehead Park and a wreath was also to be placed at sea.
Stories of sacrificeStories 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 event offshore on the Piper Bravo platform was to see the wreath placed in the sea towards the spot where the Piper Alpha stood.
The Aberdeen service was led by the Rev Andrew Jolly, chaplain to the UK oil and gas industry.The Aberdeen service was led by the Rev Andrew Jolly, chaplain to the UK oil and gas industry.
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".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".
He said that the people of Scotland should "hang our heads in shame" if the victims were ever forgotten.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. "There must always be names with faces, stories of sacrifice and of love, 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. "If we as a community, or as an oil and gas industry, or as a city, or as a country 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.""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.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 industryOffshore 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.