Filenews 11 July 2021
Ten years after the deadly explosion in Mari, which killed 13 people, the Cypriot state is today honouring the memory of the victims of this unspeakable tragedy.
The annual memorial service for the 13 fallen in Mari takes place in the presence of the President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades and the Speaker of the House Annitas Demetriou.
The memorial service is held at the Temple of Cypriot Neo-Martyrs erected at the site of the explosion at the Naval Base "Evangelos Florakis". It is followed by a trisagio at the Monument of Heroes and the laying of wreaths, followed by the National Anthem.
The Government will also be represented at memorials held in other holy temples for the fallen in Mari.
Captain Andreas Ioannidis died from the explosion of containers with munitions at the Naval Base on 11 July 2011, Lieutenant Evangelos Florakis, Commander Lambros Lambrou, Chief Petty Officer Kleanthis Kleanthous, EPC Petty Officer Michalis Irakleous, sailors Miltos Christoforou, Christakis Christoforou and Andreas Charalambous, Fire Department Sergeant Andreas Papadopoulos, Chief Fire Officer George Yakoumis and firefighters Vasilis Krokos , Spyros Ttantis, Panagiotis Theofilou and Adamos Adamou.
Last night, Trisagio was held in Mari in memory of the 13 heroes, who organized the Mari Community Council and the Volunteers of Remembrance July 11, 2011.
The trisagio was performed by the First Chancellor of the Holy Metropolis of Trimythus Father Gregory.
In her greeting, The Communautaire Maria Georgiou mentioned that it was ten years since the explosion at the naval base Evangelos Florakis in Mari. It was 5.40 in the morning, as soon as the day started to daw,n and a new week began. The cargo of 98 containers, seized in 2009 from a ship, exploded killing 13 people and injuring 63 others, she noted.
Cyprus was plunged into mourning 13 children. The naval base had been flattened, the power station was being destroyed at a significant cost to the economy. The communities adjacent were fortunately badly damaged but without any other victims, she added.
We are here to pay due honour and gratitude to the 13 wronged heroes of the unspeakable tragedy of July 11, 2011, she said.
They died in peacetime and in the line of duty. We promise that the victims of this tragic day will never forget them, we must not forget them, she concluded.
Cna
