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Piper Alpha commemoration
06/07/2008
First Minister Alex Salmond today laid a wreath on behalf of the people of Scotland on the 20th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster at a commemoration service in Hazelhead Park, Aberdeen.
The First Minister said:
"The Piper Alpha disaster was an incident that is etched into the memory of everyone alive at the time.
"Most people will remember exactly where they were when the news and footage came through that revealed the extent of the conflagration.
"Out of the disaster, through Lord Cullen's report, came a new and better safety regime for the North Sea.
"I hope the commemoration of the 20th anniversary provides a reminder to everyone that in these hostile, dangerous waters, safety should always be paramount. If it does, there could be no more fitting memorial to those who so tragically lost their lives."