The Cyprus government Wednesday declared three days of mourning for the death of National Guard Commander, Lieutenant General Evangelos Florakis, and four other army officers killed early that morning when their helicopter crashed near Paphos. Flags will fly at half-mast at all public buildings and National Guard camps.
Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said after a meeting at the Presidential Palace, presided over by President Glafcos Clerides, that procedures to name a new National Guard chief were under way, according to CNA.
He said Cypriot experts have already started investigating the circumstances under which the accident occurred. Greek experts will join their Cypriot colleagues in the investigations.
Invited to say whether the possibility of a sabotage has been ruled out, the Spokesman said, "since an investigation is being conducted we have to look into all possibilities."
He added, however, that all evidence indicate it was an accident. Papapetrou said the Cyprus government was in constant contact with the Greek authorities since the very first moment of the helicopter crash.
The National Guard Chief and Cyprus Air Force Commander, Brigadier Stelios Demenagas, were of Greek origin.
The other three officers, Lieutenant Nikos Georgiou, Flight Lieutenant Paris Athanasiades and Flank Officer Michalis Shiakallis, were of Cypriot origin. (Albawaba.com)
