Spanish mayor honoured with BEM for British plane crash remembrance work

A passenger plane en route from Manchester to Barcelona struck the forested slopes of the Montseny mountains near Arbucies village on July 3, 1970. The horrific disaster claimed 112 British lives and stands as the greatest single loss of British nationals on the Iberian Peninsula.

Dedicated official organises annual tributes

One man, Pere Garriga Sola, has been responsible for coordinating memorial services every year since the tragedy. Now mayor of Ajuntament d’Arbucies, he makes sure the victims’ final resting place receives proper ongoing care and attention.

British Empire Medal presented in ceremony

British Consul General Lloyd Milen awarded Garrida the British Empire Medal on Friday, July 3. Officials chose this honour to recognise decades of commitment to preserving the memory of the British victims.

Milen spoke warmly during the presentation. “As Mayor of Arbucies, Pere Garriga Sola has shown outstanding leadership in ensuring that this tragedy is never forgotten. Through his service to the community and his personal commitment, he has helped preserve not only the memory of those who were lost but also the spirit of compassion and respect with which they are honoured.”

Recipient highlights community involvement

Garriga described his feelings on receiving the distinction. “It is an honour and a great responsibility to receive this distinction. This recognition moves me deeply and serves as a tribute to the people of Arbucies as a whole.”

He emphasised long-term local efforts. “For more than fifty years, our community has been both a witness to and an active part of the history of that tragic day on 3 July 1970. Everything I have done throughout these years has been aimed at improving the quality of life of our citizens and, in the case of the air disaster, at keeping alive the memory of the victims and strengthening ties with their families.”

Ongoing commitment to remembrance

Garriga views the award as continued motivation. “It is a commitment that remains more alive than ever and encourages us to continue working with the same spirit of respect, remembrance and humanity.”

This recognition strengthens connections between British families and the Spanish village that has shouldered the legacy of the 1970 crash. Annual gatherings provide opportunities for shared mourning and international goodwill built on dignity and humanity.