Paralimni: The annual memorial service for the 16 residents from Paralimni, in the Famagusta district, who lost their lives in the Helios air disaster on August 14, 2005, was held on Sunday morning at the Church of St. George in Paralimni.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the service was led by Bishop Christoforos of Karpasia. The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kostas Koumis, representing the government, along with members of parliament, relatives of the victims, and a large crowd.
Following the church service, wreaths were laid on the graves of the victims in Paralimni. On the preceding Saturday afternoon, a separate memorial service took place at a square in Paralimni, where 121 candles were lit to honor all the victims of the air tragedy.
The Helios Boeing aircraft had departed from Larnaca International Airport on August 14, 2005, destined for Prague via Athens. The plane tragically crashed three hours later on the mountain of Grammatikos, north of Athens, resulting in the loss of all 121 passengers and crew, most of whom were Greek Cypriots traveling for holidays.