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Edinburgh Reporter
27-07-2025
- Edinburgh Reporter
TV – Piper Alpha documentary series announced
It was the world's worst offshore oil disaster, which claimed the lives of 167 people. Now a new BBC documentary series promises to give 'the fullest account yet' of the Piper Alpha disaster and its aftermath. The disaster occurred at 10pm on 6 July 1988, when a series of explosions ripped through one of the North Sea's flagship oil platforms, 120 miles off the coast of Aberdeen. The tragedy claimed the lives of 167 people as flames engulfed the platform, with only 61 survivors. Now, 37 years later, The Piper Alpha Disaster, from BBC Studios for BBC Two, BBC Scotland and iPlayer will revisit the events of that night and the months that followed to reveal 'a bigger, untold story'. The three hour-long episodes will explore the rush for North Sea 'black gold', the working families shattered by the tragedy and its legacy on industry and individuals for decades afterwards. Piper Alpha was the most productive oil rig in the North Sea. In 1979 it was converted to also send gas back to shore. An explosion occurred when an out of service condensate pump was started after its pressure valve had been removed for a routine examination. Within four hours the platform was destroyed. A Public Inquiry led by Lord Cullen would later reveal a flawed safety culture within the main US owned operator, Occidental and in the North Sea more widely. It made 106 recommendations for offshore oil safety, but no criminal charges were brought. Piper Alpha was the last major oil rig disaster in the North Sea. At the heart of the series will be the unique and compelling testimony heard in the Cullen Inquiry, from men who survived the disaster, whose words, revoiced by actors, tell a remarkable human story of tragedy, heroism and an uncompromising quest for the truth. The films will also feature interviews with the 'unheard voices' – wives, partners and children whose lives were changed forever, and medics, lawyers and journalists who were caught up in the disaster – to reveal an in-depth picture of the tragedy, the forces behind it and its far-reaching aftermath. A spokesperson for the BBC said described the series as 'an emotional retelling of an unforgettable event with resonances that remain'. They continued: 'This is the story of working families, of terrible failures of safety and of a community devastated by loss. It reveals how the oil boom of the 80s transformed entire communities with new lucrative work opportunities, whilst also putting them at deadly risk.' Emma Hindley, Commissioning Editor, BBC Studios Specialist Factual, said: 'This series takes a timely and contemporary view on the UK's worst oil disaster. 'Told from the point of view of the men who were there at the time, their relatives and loved ones, the journalists who reported on it and experts from the inquiry, it gives a visceral, dramatic account of the event itself as well as the effects on the community and the industry worldwide.' Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning, BBC Scotland, said: 'The Piper Alpha disaster had a huge impact on communities in the Northeast of Scotland and beyond. 'The series will tell this tragic story sensitively and comprehensively, drawing on new interviews and on the detailed testimonies of the Cullen inquiry. 'Over three episodes the series will give the fullest account yet of what went wrong and how the impact of the tragedy continues to affect survivors, relatives, and the industry.' BBC Studios Specialist Factual Productions is a bespoke unit making premium output in the history, arts, music, and culture space. Recent titles include the Grierson Award winning Inside Our Autistic Minds with Chris Packham; the RTS-winning Fight The Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World with Public Enemy's Chuck D; travelogue Tucci in Italy; and Cold War thriller Secrets and Spies: A Nuclear Game. Like this: Like Related
STV News
03-05-2025
- STV News
School security 'a lottery' putting staff and pupils at risk, teachers warn
Security measures at schools are 'a lottery' leaving the safety of pupils and school staff to chance, teachers have warned. The NASUWT Scotland union claims there has been a failure to implement or retain improvements following the Dunblane massacre nearly 30 years ago. Teachers are concerned that measures to control access to school buildings are no longer strictly applied. The union is calling for the Scottish Government to provide consistent standards of school safety and security for staff and pupils across Scotland by providing the necessary resources to help protect every school site from intruders or attacks. Representatives attending the NASUWT Scotland union's annual conference on Saturday in Glasgow will highlight a failure to maintain security measures in schools implemented Matt Wrack, NASUWT acting general secretary, said: 'We must never forget the horrific events which took place in Dunblane in 1996 in which 16 pupils and their teacher died and 15 others were injured, nor the collective desire to work collaboratively thereafter to ensure that tragedy could never happen again. 'The Cullen Inquiry at the time recognised that those who have the legal responsibility for the health and safety of the teaching staff and pupils in schools should prepare a safety strategy for the protection of the school population against violence, together with an action plan for implementing and monitoring the effectiveness of safety measures appropriate to the particular school. 'Sadly other attacks and attempted attacks on staff and pupils on school sites in the UK have taken place in recent years and teachers report approaches to school security have not been consistently maintained.' Mr Wrack said guidance should be developed in partnership with industry experts and trade unions to ensure schools are aware of their obligations and responsibilities on safety. The unions said parents have the right to expect consistent safety and security when they send children to school. But Mike Corbett, NASUWT Scotland national official, said it varies considerably across the country. He said this was often due to the age of the school building, the availability of resources for school maintenance and the adherence of employers to safety guidance. 'This is not about turning schools into fortresses, but putting in place proportionate measures to ensure security is not compromised,' he said. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The Dunblane atrocity was one of Scotland's darkest days and we will always remember the 16 children and the teacher who tragically lost their lives. 'Although it is the statutory responsibility of local authorities to manage their school estate, we expect them to provide safe environments for all school users.' A COSLA Spokesperson said: 'Councils take the health and safety of their workforce and those that access their services very seriously. 'This obviously includes children, young people and school staff. Every effort is made to ensure that learning environments are safe and secure spaces that are also welcoming and nurturing. If any employee feels unsafe, they should raise this with their line manager in the first instance and follow local authority protocols in terms of alerting senior officers.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
