Nineteen years have passed this year since the crash of the “Helios” company aircraft. at the Grammar School which resulted in the loss of 121 lives.
The memorial service is presided over by Metropolitan Nektarios of Kiti. The Government was represented by the Deputy Minister of Tourism Kostas Koumis. A memorial speech was delivered by DISY MEP Michalis Hatzipantela.
Mr. Hatzipantela said that “nineteen whole years have been completed, after the agony and pain, since the fall of the Boeing of the airline company 'Helios' x27; on the hillside of the Grammar School. A whole nineteen, from the immense tragedy, the tears, the bitterness and the endless anger.”
“Nineteen whole years since that black day, August 14, 2005, when the sun went out forever for the 121 souls of the plane tragedy. The outrage on that day froze Hellenism and the entire world,” he said.
He noted that “the wounds do not heal easily and the houses of the victims remain empty. No matter how many years pass, the pain does not go away. It became one with the lives of their own people. The cross remains heavy, unlifted, for parents, siblings, children, relatives and friends.”
He said that “Paralimni mourns the most victims of the tragedy. Among the 121 innocent souls who were dragged to death, twelve are from Paralimni and another four are from Paralimni, and live in Limassol,” he pointed out.
“Commemoration is resistance to defeat the ugliness of death” concluded Mr. Hatzipantela.
This was followed by a trisage and laying of wreaths at the Paralimni cemetery and a minute's silence was observed.
> The Boeing 737-31S aircraft of the “Helios” airline was flying from Larnaca to Prague with an intermediate stop in Athens.
Shortly after takeoff, due to rapid depressurization, there was no oxygen inside the cabin. When the oxygen from the fallen masks ran out, everyone on board, including the pilots, lost consciousness. Among them were 22 children.
An exception was the flying caretaker Andreas Prodromou. Having a pilot's license, he attempted to take control of the plane. Andreas Prodromou was noticed by the pilots of the Greek F-16 fighters, who had approached the Boeing. The Forerunner's efforts were fruitless.
The aircraft ran out of fuel and within 10 minutes both engines stopped, first the left and then the right.
At 12:05 pm on August 14, 2005, the aircraft crashed in a mountainous area in Grammatiko.
It is recalled that 121 people, 115 passengers and 6 crew members were on board the aircraft operating flight HCY522.
