Cyprus Defence Minister Sokratis Hasikos announced on Wednesday morning that the Commander of Cyprus' National Guard (army), Lieutenant General Evangelos Florakis, and four other army officers were killed at 04:20 local time today (0120 GMT) when their helicopter crashed near the southwestern town of Paphos.
The other four army officers are Air Force Commander, Brigadier Stelios Demenegas, Lieutenant Nikos Georgiou and the two helicopter pilots, Flight Lieutenant Paris Athanasiades and Flank Officer Michalis Shiakallis.
According to the CNA, in a written statement Hasikos said Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides was briefed about the accident at the National Guards headquarters in Nicosia and expressed his deep sorrow and grief for the tragic accident and his condolences to their relatives of the deceased.
The Minister said that Florakis and the other four army officers were aboard a helicopter which crashed near the village of Kouklia, Paphos.
A committee has been set up to investigate the causes of the accident.
The other four army officers are Air Force Commander, Brigadier Stelios Demenegas, Lieutenant Nikos Georgiou and the two helicopter pilots, Flight Lieutenant Paris Athanasiades and Flank Officer Michalis Shiakallis.
According to the CNA, in a written statement Hasikos said Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides was briefed about the accident at the National Guards headquarters in Nicosia and expressed his deep sorrow and grief for the tragic accident and his condolences to their relatives of the deceased.
The Minister said that Florakis and the other four army officers were aboard a helicopter which crashed near the village of Kouklia, Paphos.
A committee has been set up to investigate the causes of the accident.
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