President Nikos Christodoulides pledged that the Republic is doing everything possible to prevent similar tragedies in the future, while renewing the State’s apology for the mistakes and omissions that led to the deadly explosion at the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base in Mari.
Speaking during the annual memorial service for the 13 victims at the Church of the Holy New Martyrs in Mari, the President said Cyprus continues to strengthen safety measures through established procedures, continuous training, strict protocols and internationally recognised practices.
“Through institutionalised procedures and continuous training, based on strict protocols and international standards, we are doing everything humanly possible to minimise potential risks, act proactively and provide safety across all sectors,” he said.
Christodoulides stressed that accepting responsibility is the highest virtue of those entrusted with serving the public, adding that the 13 heroes of Mari “define the duty of all of us who hold public office to act responsibly and remain accountable to the citizens.”
He reiterated the State’s apology to the families of the victims, noting that the explosion unjustly claimed 13 lives, destroyed the country’s main energy centre, caused enormous economic damage and plunged Cyprus into an unprecedented crisis.
“As President of the Republic of Cyprus, I have a duty, on behalf of the State, to express our sincere apologies and ask for forgiveness for the mistakes and omissions that led to the deadly explosion,” he said.
Paying tribute to the victims, the President named Captain Andreas Ioannides, Commander Lambros Lambrou, Chief Petty Officer Cleanthis Cleanthous, Contract Petty Officer Michalis Heracleous, sailors Miltos Christoforou, Christakis Christoforou and Antonis Charalambous, Fire Service Sergeant Andreas Papadopoulos, Chief Firefighter Giorgos Giakoumis, and firefighters Vasilis Krokos, Spyros Ttantis, Panayiotis Theophilou and Adamos Adamou.
He said they honoured their oath to the nation until their final moments, answering the call of duty and confronting an unequal battle against an overwhelming danger that ultimately proved fatal.
“Their sacrifice reminds us that our homeland remains forever exposed because it failed to provide them with the protection they deserved,” he said, adding that this “unfulfilled duty continues to weigh heavily on the collective memory and conscience of the Cypriot people.”
The President described the anniversary as an opportunity to reassess national priorities to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated, calling 11 July “a day that fills the State with shame, but also with reflection.”
He concluded by stressing that the Mari site serves as a permanent reminder that the State has a fundamental obligation to safeguard human life and critical infrastructure, especially in a country that remains under occupation.
“The sense of security is a top priority for every state,” he said.
Also read: 15 years since the deadly Mari explosion: 13 heroes remembered
