Nicosia: Safety in the transport sector, especially in aviation, is not merely a technical detail but the state's 'first and non-negotiable obligation', stated Transport, Communications and Works Minister Evanthia Tsolaki on Sunday. She was addressing the annual memorial service for the victims of the Helios Airways air disaster that occurred on August 14, 2005.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the memorial service took place at the Metropolitan Church of St George in Paralimni, a location significant as many of the 121 victims hailed from the area. The service was led by the Metropolitan of Constantia and Famagusta Vasilios. Minister Tsolaki delivered the memorial address and laid a wreath on behalf of President Nikos Christodoulides.
In her speech, Tsolaki referred to August 14, 2005, as one of the most tragic days in Cyprus' recent history, illustrating how an ordinary flight turned into an unimaginable tragedy. She focused on the families of the victims, emphasizing that time does not heal their loss, as it is felt in everyday life through the absence of loved ones.
Tsolaki highlighted the importance of the state's presence at the memorial, not as a mere formality but as a duty to the victims' families. She insisted that their pain is part of Cyprus' collective memory and stressed that the tragedy's remembrance must be linked to the state's responsibility for ensuring aviation safety.
The minister reiterated that safety in transport, particularly in aviation, is a priority that leaves no room for compromise. She called for continuous assessment and improvement of safety procedures, underscoring that safety must be a daily obligation and an ongoing commitment.
Tsolaki concluded by affirming that the memory of the Helios victims should serve as a responsibility rather than just a painful reminder, highlighting the state's duty to protect and prevent future tragedies. The Helios Airways Boeing 737-300 crashed near Grammatiko, north of Athens, on August 14, 2005, during a flight from Larnaca to Prague via Athens. All 121 people on board were killed, marking it as the deadliest air disaster in Cyprus' history.