August Tragedies: Tillyria 1964 and Helios 2005

August is a month of remembrance for Cyprus, marked by two major tragedies: the events in Tillyria in 1964 and the Helios Airways disaster in 2005.

In 1964, the Tillyria region was heavily bombarded by the Turkish air force. One of the victims was Giorgos Eikosaris, a soldier who went missing during the attacks. His family searched for his remains for decades. In 2019, after efforts and DNA analysis, Eikosaris' bones were identified and buried with honors in 2020.

On August 9, 1964, the hospital in Pachyammos was bombed with napalm, resulting in the death and dismemberment of many people. In total, 364 Turkish Cypriots and 174 Greek Cypriots were killed in the clashes of 1963-64, while thousands were displaced.

In 2005, the Helios Airways disaster in Grammatiko, Attica, claimed the lives of 121 people. The newspaper "Kathimerini" reported that there were responsibilities within the state, which were covered up. Although the Department of Civil Aviation had found that the aircraft was not airworthy, the necessary repairs were not made, leading to the tragedy.

August remains a month of remembrance and reflection on the losses and tragedies that marked Cyprus.