Monument unveiled to honour 102 victims of Mati fire tragedy

·

A monument dedicated to the 102 victims of the Mati fire was unveiled in Neos Voutzason on Thursday as people mourned for those lost in the deadly tragedy.

The mourning ceremony took place exactly two years after the deadly fire on July 23, 2018. The presented artwork symbolises the people who ran to be saved from the fiery flame.

Relatives and friends of the 102 victims left flowers at the base of the monument, with a memorial prayer also being performed by the Metropolitan of Kifisia, Marousi and Oropos Cyril.

Unveiling of the Monument of the victims of the fire in Mati . Photo: EUROKINISSI

Angeliki Papadopoulou, the resident who donated the monument, stressed that the need for justice is insurmountable.

“Vindication of the people who lost their loved ones, who lost their homes, and those who are are fighting with all their might to rebuild their homes and resurrect their lives,” Papadopoulou said.

“Justice will calm the souls of people who no longer exist among us,” he concluded.

Unveiling of the Monument of the victims of the fire in Mati. Photo: EUROKINISSI

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also spoke about the anniversary of the deadly fire, saying that “we will never forget the dead.”

The blaze on Greece’s eastern coast grew is still regarded as one of the largest urban wildfires in recent European history.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From crisis to compassion: Timos Roussos and his family’s mercy mission in war-torn Cyprus

When Turkish troops landed on Cyprus on 20 July 1974, six-year-old Timos Roussos was sitting on the floor of his family’s home in Lemesos.

A granddaughter returns: Georgia Georgiou retraces her yiayia’s occupied village in Cyprus

When Georgia Georgiou handed over her Cypriot ID at the border checkpoint to cross into occupied northern Cyprus, she felt an ache.

‘You never get over it’: A childhood shattered by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

On a warm July morning in 1974, 10-year-old Anastasia Di Loreto (née Karatzia) was jolted awake by the sound of bombs falling on Kyrenia.

Cyprus: The paradox of tolerance and impunity for Turkey

The lack of a unified, systematic and practical strategy on the part of Greece has led the Cyprus crisis into national disarray.

Lost homes and lingering hope: Greek-Cypriots reflect on Turkish invasion and its aftermath

From hidden stories to haunting memories, two Greek-Cypriot men share what it means to carry the burden of Cyprus’ past.

You May Also Like

Brisbane Olympics chief Andrew Liveris backs new stadium at Victoria Park

Andrew Liveris, President of Brisbane's 2032 Olympic Games Organising Committee, has called for a new stadium to be built at Victoria Park.

Michalis Pervolarakis: Melbourne is our home

Twenty-four hours before the first game of the Greek tennis team against Australia, Bill Roumeliotis spoke with Michalis Pervolarakis.

Professor Anastasios Tamis’ book on Hellenes in Australia launched in SA

Professor Anastasios Tamis' book The History of Hellenes in Australia (1974 - 2016) was officially launched on November 15 in South Australia