Service to be held to remember Piper Alpha 35 years on

A memorial service is to be held to remember those who tragically lost their lives in the Piper Alpha disaster on the 6th of July 1988.

35 years ago, 167 people lost their lives in the world's worst offshore disaster when the Piper Alpha Production Platform was engulfed in flames - leaving just 61 survivors. 

The names of those who died will be read aloud at the special ceremony today.

Held in the North Sea Memorial Rose Gardens at Hazlehead Park, the service will be conducted by oil chaplain, Gordon Craig, alongside Calum McIlroy, who has composed music especially for the service. 

There will be a minutes silence, followed by an opportunity to lay flowers and commemoration. 

The service will be concluded at Park Cafe.

Survivor of the Piper Alpha disaster and Chairman of Pound for Piper, Steve Rae, says there's two reasons we must highlight and remember this tragic incident.

He said: "Many families were affected, 167 families who lost their loved one, their father, husband, brother, son, and these people still grieve to this day. 

"In my and Pound for Piper's opinions, it's important we recognise that loss and give an opportunity to remember and come together. 

"Secondly, I think it's vitally important that our industry, our offshore oil and gas industry, doesn't lose sight of how the consequences of poor safety management can escalate very quickly to an unimaginable event.

"The longer we go and the better we get at managing safety, the more potential there is for us to forget how dangerous and risky this business is."

The ceremony will begin at 1pm and members of the public are invited to join.