Today marks 7 years since the deadly explosion that shook the entire island and resulted in the death of 13 of our compatriots and the destruction of the largest power plant in Cyprus.
The Chronicles
Monday, July 11, 2011 at dawn…
There was an explosion in 96 containers with gunpowder, which were stacked in an open space at the naval base of the National Guard "Evangelos Florakis" in Marie. A few hours later, dozens of ambulances, fire engines and army vehicles began arriving at the scene, trying to put out the fires.
The powerful explosion destroyed the main power plant located right next to the Naval Base, leaving all of Cyprus without electricity.
Most of the injured were treated at the Limassol General Hospital, a small number were treated at the Larnaca Hospital, while the coordination between the Hospitals was complete. According to the official report of the Republic of Cyprus, 13 people lost their lives and 62 were injured, one of them very seriously. Anger, sadness and heavy mourning spread on the island. Anger at the loss of action, anger at the unjust loss of so many people. Thousands of our compatriots gathered every day outside the Presidential Palace, protesting against the explosion.
Most relatives did not speak. They were speechless. They were just crying. They could not believe the evil that had befallen them.
The dead are:
Captain Ioannidis Andreas (Commander of the Navy)
Lieutenant Commander Lambros Lambros (Commander of the Naval Base)
Cleanthous Cleanthis
Kelefstis Irakleous Michalis
Sailor Christoforou Miltiadis
Sailor Christoforou Christakis
Archilochias Fire Department Andreas Papadopoulos
Firefighter Vassilis Krokos
Firefighter Spyros Tantis
Firefighter Panagiotis Theofilou
Chief Firefighter George Giakoumis
Firefighter Adamos Adamou
Sailor Antonis Charalambous (died three days after the accident)
7 years have passed since then but the souls remain bloodied and the wounds open…
The wife of the Rev. Cleanthos Cleanthes, reports to ant1ıwo:
"7 years later… Every July 11 the wound bleeds again. We live the same scenario again, as if not a day had passed. A wound that over time does not close but does not bleed.
Only every time the absence becomes a double-edged sword and drips again. Like this year. One year with one more scratch μας our daughter's wedding.
How much power do you really need to draw to make sorrow joy, to grit your teeth and to raise your stature to give strength to your own children to endure this absence. Without tears but with their hearts flooded with pride for their Levantine father who stood worthy in the face of duty and did not shy away.
Nothing can be the same anymore because nothing and no one can replace my man and husband, the father of my children.
Every July 11 the wound will drip again…
The church in the place of martyrdom reminds us that it is brave to die for the homeland, but it is unfair for your homeland to kill you… ".
Source: ant1iwo.com
