Dimitris Vitsas, Greece’s Alternate Minister of National Defence, is paying a visit to Cyprus between January 7 and 9, in order to attend a ceremony for the handover of remains belonging to Greek nationals, who died in August 1964 while on board the patrol boat “Phaethon”.
In statements to CNA, Photis Photiou, the Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Issues and Overseas Cypriots, said the ceremony will be held on Tuesday, January 9, at the cemetery of Saints Constantine and Helen, in Nicosia.
He clarified that Vitsas will receive the remains of five Greeks from “Phaethon”, to bring them back to their homeland. The remains of a sixth Greek national, sailor Nikolaos Niafas, have already been given back to Greece a few months ago.
“Phaethon” was hit by the Turkish air force during the battle of Tylliria in August 1964. Six Greek nationals and a Greek Cypriot were among the casualties. The six Greek nationals were buried in the Nicosia cemetery and their remains were unearthed last April, with the aim of identifying and returning them to Greece.
Photiou also said that the remains of two more Greek nationals, who were buried in the same area, were exhumed. One of them died in 1974 and the other during the 1965-67 period. The Presidential Commissioner said that one will be buried in Nicosia, according to the wishes of his relatives and the remains of the other will be returned to Greece, together with the remains of those who died aboard “Phaethon”.
While in Cyprus, Vitsas will also meet bilaterally with Photiou, as well as with the Cypriot Minister of Defence Christoforos Fokaides.
During 1963-1964, inter-communal fighting broke out in Cyprus. Phaethon was sunk off Xeros area, in the Bay of Morphou, after being hit by the Turkish air force with napalm bombs.