The National Cold Board and the National Union of Mine Workers

The victims were buried in a pair of 80 foot long trenches with attendees numbering the tens of thousands. Queen Elizabeth had initially neglected to visit the village, and despite seeming cold, this is common practice in order to avoid any kind of heightened hysteria. The tragedy was so profoundly felt by the British people that the Queen actually reversed her decision and made a rare appearance in order to pay her respects. But without a shadow of a doubt, the real villains are the National Cold Board who bore overall responsibility for the mine's safety along with the national media.