Aggies Remember Fatal '99 Bonfire Collapse

Silence and songs early Wednesday commemorated the 10th anniversary of the deadly Texas A&M bonfire collapse.

The accident on Nov. 18, 1999, killed 12 Aggies and left 27 hurt as the log pile tumbled.

More than 3,000 people held candles at the collapse site on campus at 2:42 a.m. (central time) -- the exact time of the accident a decade ago.

The 30-minute event had stretches of silence mixed with the crowd singing "Amazing Grace" and school songs such as "The Spirit of Aggieland."

The vigil came a few hours after about 4,000 people attended a memorial ceremony last night.

Students and others were building the 59-foot tower as part of an annual football season tradition. The bonfire was held on the eve of the game against the University of Texas.

An off-campus bonfire not affiliated with the school has been held each year since 2002.
 

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