Relatives of the “Helios” air crash victims held on Tueday the annual memorial service of their beloved ones, 13 years after the fatal accident, which cost the lives of all 121 people aboard.
The memorial service took place at the mountain of Grammatikos, north of Athens, where the airplane crashed and a church was built in honour of the victims.
Around 60 Greek Cypriot relatives went to Grammatikos for the memorial service. The government of Cyprus was represented by the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in Athens, Kyriakos Kenevezos. The memorial was also attended by Greek relatives of victims as well as by residents of the area.
Wreaths were laid on behalf of Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, House of Representatives President Demetris Syllouris and parliamentary parties DISY and AKEL.
“Thirteen years today after the tragedy in Grammtikos which shocked Cyprus,” Syllouris wrote on Twitter. Our thoughts, he added, “remain with the families of the 121 victims of the airplane accident of ‘Helios’ and of our duty as a state towards them. We shall not forget,” he added.
The Boeing took off from Larnaca International Airport, on the 14th of August 2005 on its way to Prague via Athens. Three hours later it crashed on the mountain of Grammatikos, north of Athens, killing all 121 passengers and crew. Most victims were Greek Cypriots who were travelling for holidays.