In three tragic accidents that shocked Cyprus and plunged the the National Guard in mourning was mentioned by the Speaker of the Parliament Anita Demetriou, expressing the wish that this is the last time we mourn the death of our fellow human beings in the line of duty, let alone young people.
As she said, last Sunday, the funeral of the contracted gunman Panagiotis Gianniou, who was seriously injured a few days ago during a planned training activity and passed away on the third day of his hospitalisation, was held in a climate of deep mourning. The unfortunate young man was injured while performing a jump from a helicopter in a sea area in Lara. Panayiotis Giannios was recruited to the National Guard in 2016 as a Contracted Soldier with the rank of Corporal of Commando and served in the Special Operations Company of the Commando Command. The parents of the late SYOP proceeded to donate their son's organs, thus giving life to other fellow human beings.
He recalled that about two months ago we mourned the loss of another SYOP, Natalie Neophytou, who succumbed to her injuries when the jeep-type vehicle in which the young soldier was travelling with a reserve officer cadet and a conscript soldier overturned. The twenty-seven-year-old had been serving as an armoured fighting vehicle operator with the 2nd Ili of the 28th Armoured Fighting Vehicle Division in Corno for almost two months.
"Unfortunately, the list is long," the Speaker said, adding that a year ago, Engineering Captain Xanthos Kyriakou, thirty-two years old, died on duty during a planned training exercise in the Trooditissa area when the rope he was tethered with cut, cutting the thread of his life. Xanthos Kyriakou graduated from the Evelpidon Military School in 2010 with the rank of Lieutenant Engineer. He served as a platoon and company commander in the 70th Engineer Battalion, sub-commander of the 20th Engineer Company and platoon commander of the Landmine Clearance Platoon. He attended the Engineer's basic rifle school and attended training related to his specialty. Shortly before the fatality he was promoted to the rank of Captain.
"The two young men and the young lady were distinguished for their philanthropy, morals and professionalism. During the performance of their duties they showed zeal and a high sense of responsibility. Their funerals were held at public expense and with military honours. At this point, I would like to mention that the issue of the safety of National Guard personnel and the level of security, maintenance and control of weapon systems and other equipment are of concern to the Parliamentary Defence Committee," Demetriou said.
The Parliament observed a one-minute silence in their memory.
Source: CNA
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