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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 05-08-14Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] Cypriot airliner crashes1345:CYPPRESS:01Cypriot airliner crashes Nicosia, Aug 14 (CNA) -- A Cypriot airliner carrying 115 passengers and a six-member crew, crashed north Kontroni area of Marathona, Greece, according to the Greek Airforce. Two Greek F-16 fighter jets were scrambled after the jet, en route from Larnaca in Cyprus to Athens, lost contact with the control tower at Athens international airport. Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos rushed to Larnaca Airport. He has already contacted Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis. Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis is also en route to Athens after the crash. [02] Helios aircraft crashes in Greece1420:CYPPRESS:02Helios aircraft crashes - Emergency meeting at Larnaca airport Nicosia, Aug 14 (CNA) -- An emergency meeting is currently underway at Larnaca airport, chaired by Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, after news came in about a crash of an Helios aircraft, that was carrying 115 passengers and a six-member crew. The aircraft crashed in north Kontroni, in Marathonas area, near Athens. Relatives of the passengers and crew of the fatal flight of a Boeing 737 are gathering at Helios headquarters in Larnaca trying to find as much information about their next of kin as they can. Helios senior management is also at an emergency meeting and so far there has been no official announcement from the airline. In Greece rescue efforts are coordinated by the Ministry of National Defence and Transport Minister Anastasios Neratzis is heading to the scene of the crash. Initial reports from Greek Civil Aviation suggest that the pilots of the Helios aircraft and the crew were unconscious before the crash. The morning flight that left Larnaca airport at 0900 local time (0600 GMT) was heading to Prague, via Athens. Present at the Larnaca meeting is Communications and Works Minister Haris Thrassou. Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, who interrupted his holidays as soon as the news came in, has already been in touch with Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis. Foreign Minister George Iacovou has expressed deep sorrow about the crash. The aircraft of the private-owned Helios company had lost contact with Athens airport control tower and two Greek F-16 fighter jets took off to scramble after the jet, Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis has also cut short his holidays and rushed to Athens after the crash. [03] Helios air crash - Larnaca flights run smoothly1440:CYPPRESS:03Helios air crash - Larnaca flights run smoothly Nicosia, Aug 14 (CNA) -- All flights to and from Larnaca International Airport are running smoothly, airport authorities have said, following the crash north of Athens of an Helios aircraft that had left Larnaca earlier this morning. Meanwhile, Greek Government Spokesman Theodoros Rousopoulos said in Athens that state emergency services, including members of the armed forces, the ministries of interior, transport, public order, shipping and health, responded quickly to calls following the crash. ''The exact cause of the crash is not known at this stage,'' he said. Greek Premier Costas Karamanlis, who was at the Greek island of Tinos, is now chairing an emergency meeting in Athens. Cyprus Interior Minister Andreas Christou has denied reports that 80 children were on board the fate flight. He expressed deep sadness at the tragedy. A Boeing 737 Helios aircraft, heading for Prague via Athens, crashed as it was approaching Athens, just outside the Greek capital. [04] Helios air crash - Relatives to be informed1520:CYPPRESS:04Helios air crash - Relatives to be informed Nicosia, Aug 14 (CNA) -- Nicos Anastasiades, spokesman for Helios airline, whose Boeing 737 crashed near Athens this morning, is to inform relatives of the 115 passengers and six-member crew who were on board the fatal flight. He said the airline expects the green light from the Greek and Cypriot governments to give the names of the passengers and the crew, who were on board flight HCY 522, destined for Prague via Athens. Medical staff and paramedics are already at Larnaca airport to help the relatives. Cyprus Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides interrupted his holidays in Greece and is heading to Athens for contacts with the Greek government about the air crash. He said he is in constant touch with the Cyprus embassy in Athens, where a crisis team is operating. Cyprus Health Minister Andreas Gavrielides was due to leave for Athens this afternoon, he told CNA. Present at the Larnaca airport are Director of the President's Press Office Marios Karoyan and Under-secretary to the President Christodoulos Pashiardis. The Boeing 737 lost contact with Athens airport control tower as it was approaching Athens and shortly after that it crashed in Marathonas, north of capital Athens. [05] Helios Airways air crash - Airline spokesman - Statement1620:CYPPRESS:06Helios Airways air crash - Airline spokesman - Statement Nicosia, Aug 14 (CNA) -- A spokesman for Helios Airways, whose Boeing 737 crashed north of Athens, said all options are being investigated with regard to the crash. In a short statement to the press, the first since flight HCY 522 crashed around noon today, Helios Spokesman Nikos Anastasiades said the airline is doing its best to help the families of the 115 passengers and six members of the crew. The entire statement reads as follows: ''An Helios Airways aircraft heading for Athens and Prague, with 115 passengers and six crew on board, crashed north of Athens around 1220. Rescue teams are at the scene of the crash. All options as to the cause of the crash are being investigated. The government has set up a management crisis centre at Larnaca Airport to help the relatives of the passengers and the crew. Our thoughts are with the families of the passengers and the crew and we are doing everything possible to give them all necessary information of this tragic accident.'' Anastasiades did not take any questions. Meanwhile a ten-member crisis management team began operating at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, coordinated by the Permanent Secretary Ambassador Sotos Zakheos, as soon as news of the air crash came through. Special teamw to help manage the crisis were also set up at the Cypriot embassy in Athens and the Cyprus Police Headquarters in Nicosia. [06] Helios Airways air crash - Cyprus President1630:CYPPRESS:07Helios Airways air crash - Cyprus President Nicosia, Aug 14 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos expressed shock and deep sorrow at the death of many people in today's air crash of an Helios Airlines aircraft, near Athens. Under-secretary to the President Christodoulos Pashardis read a statement on behalf of President Papadopoulos at Larnaca airport after a lengthy emergency meeting. The statement reads as follows: ''On behalf of the government, interpreting the feelings of the people of Cyprus, I would like to express to the relatives of the victims of the tragedy my deepest condolences. At this very difficult time, I want to assure them that they will have our full solidarity.'' An Helios Airways Boeing 737, carrying 115 passengers and six crew, crashed near Athens at around noon today. Its final destination was Prague. No names have been released and no information about the cause of the crash. A spokesman for the airline said all options are being investigated. [07] Helios Airways air crash - Karamanlis conveys condolences1700:CYPPRESS:08Helios Airways air crash - Karamanlis conveys condolences Nicosia, Aug 14 (CNA) -- Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis expressed today his condolences to the families of the passengers and crew of an Helios Airways aircraft that crashed around noon today, near Athens. Karamanlis had a telephone conversation with Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and expressed his deep sorrow for the tragedy. Flight HCY 522 left Larnaca airport for Prague, via Athens, at 0900 local time (0600 GMT). It crashed around noon. No official information is available at this stage as to the cause of the crash and no names of the people on board the fatal flight have been released. Condolences were also conveyed to Cypriot Interior Minister Andreas Christou by his Greek counterpart Prokopis Pavlopoulos. Greek Government Spokesman Thodoros Rousopoulos expressed ''sorrow and condolences of the Greek government to the Cyprus government and the families of the victims of the air tragedy.'' As he entered Megaro Maximou in Athens to participate in an emergency meeting, he said he would give out more information after the investigation that is underway. He said the state machinery was mobilised immediately as the news of the crash came in. [08] Weather and Temperatures for Cyprus
[09] Helios Airways air crash - Initial reports rule out terrorist attack1735:CYPPRESS:10Helios Airways air crash - Initial reports rule out terrorist attack Nicosia, Aug 14 (CNA) -- Marios Karoyan, director of the President's Press Office, has ruled out at this stage a terrorist attack as a possible cause for today's air crash of flight HCY 522 of Helios Airways, that came down near Athens. ''Initial indications are that the crash was not the result of a terrorist attack, following the briefing we had from the Greek authorities as well,'' Karoyan said. Helios Airways Managing Director Demetris Pantazis said the information has came from Civil Aviation authorities in Cyprus and Greece. ''Contact with flight HCY 522 was lost shortly after take off, 20 minutes into the flight. There is nothing more I can say at this stage,'' he said. He added that ''the company will continue to fly because it has no information that would lead us to do otherwise.'' He explained that the airline has an obligation to give all the information it gathers to the Cyprus police and the airline is preparing a list of the names of passengers and crew that were to board flight HCY 522. He said the airline has to verify and corroborate all the information it has about the list of the passengers before releasing any names. ''This is one of the most tragic days for all of us but we have to be careful about releasing names. We have to be absolutely sure about that, we cannot afford to make any mistakes in this respect,'' he stressed. All available information about this flight will be given to the competent authorities, he added, pointing out that it would be irresponsible on his part to disclose information that is not corroborated. Responding to a flurry of questions by the press, he said all relevant authorities as well as Boeing have been notified. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications and Works Makis Constantindes said that flight HCY 522 lost contact with FIR control centre Nicosia shortly before it entered Greek air space. He said the Boeing 737 left Larnaca airport at 0907 local time (0607 GMT) and Cypriot authorities were informed by Greek Civil Aviation authorities that the aircraft had crashed five miles northeast of Athens airport, Eleftherios Venizelos. ''The government is very interested in this, President Papadopoulos and some members of his Cabinet met at Larnaca airport to coordinate action. We are doing all we can under the circumstances,'' he said. [10] Helios Airways air crash - Cyprus House President expresses sorrow1740:CYPPRESS:11Helios Airways air crash - Cyprus House President expresses sorrow Nicosia, Aug 14 (CNA) -- Cyprus House President Demetris Christofias has expressed ''deep sorrow and immeasurable pain'' at the loss of life when an Helios Airways aircraft crashed near Athens around noon today. A statement, issued by his office here today, read: ''On behalf of all the members of the House of Representatives and me personally, I express deep sorrow and immeasurable pain for the loss of life of those on board the aircraft of Helios Airways, which crashed today at noon in Greece. I express my sincere condolences and full solidarity and support to the relatives of the passengers and the crew of the fatal flight.'' [11] Helios Airways air crash - Airline informs relatives1800:CYPPRESS:12Helios Airways air crash - Airline informs relatives Larnaca, Aug 14 (CNA) -- Helios Airways personnel and Cyprus police officers have begun briefing relatives of the victims of an air crash earlier today, when a Boeing 737, destined for Prague via Athens, crashed near the Greek capital. Relatives who had gathered at Larnaca international airport give information about their loved ones and about themselves and are subsequently informed whether their relatives were on the fatal flight. Flight HCY 522 crashed not far from Eleftherios Venizelos international airport, near Athens, with 115 passengers and six members of the crew. [12] Helios Airways air crash - Relatives of victims informed1825:CYPPRESS:13Helios Airways air crash - Relatives of victims informed Larnaca, Aug 14 (CNA) -- Relatives of the passengers on board Helios Airways flight HCY 522, that crashed at noon today near Athens, have been informed about the fate of their loved ones. The briefing of relatives, that began earlier this afternoon, has been concluded. Distraught relatives had to give personal data and information about their next of kin to Helios representatives and police officers before they were told whether their relative was on board the fatal flight, that left Larnaca airport for Prague, via Athens. The list of the 115 passengers and the six members of the crew is expected to be published later today. [13] Helios Airways air crash - Cyprus declares three-day public mourning1840:CYPPRESS:14Helios Airways air crash - Cyprus declares three-day public mourning Nicosia, Aug 14 (CNA) -- The government of Cyprus has declared a three-day public mourning, beginning Monday, 15 August, in memory of the victims of today's air tragedy of an Helios Airways flight, near Athens. Flags at government buildings will fly at half mast. [14] Helios Airways air crash - Cyprus Church joins mourning1900:CYPPRESS:15Helios Airways air crash - Cyprus Church joins mourning Nicosia, Aug 14 (CNA) -- The Church of Cyprus joined mourners today conveying its deep condolences for the loss of life, following an air crash earlier today, near Athens. Acting primate of the Church highest body, the Holy Synod, Bishop of Pafos Chrysostomos said he was shocked by the air tragedy and expressed sympathy to all the relatives of the victims. ''All the people of Cyprus are shocked and we are in mourning because of this tragedy. We pray to God that he gives comfort to all the relatives and friends of those killed,'' he said in a statement. The Church, he added, will be by their side at these difficult and tragic times. He also said the Holy Synod will meet in the coming days to discuss ways to support the relatives of the victims. [15] Helios Airways air crash - President Papadopoulos continues meetings1910:CYPPRESS:16Helios Airways air crash - President Papadopoulos continues meetings Nicosia, Aug 14 (CNA) -- Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos is at the Presidential Palace to chair an emergency meeting of members of his Cabinet, in the aftermath of today's air crash of Helios Airways that carried 115 passengers and six crew. Papadopoulos said he was devastated and expressed deep sorrow for the tragic loss of life as Helios Airways flight HCY 522 came down near Athens at around noon today. Speaking after a meeting at the Foreign Ministry, Papadopoulos expressed once more his sincere condolences to the relatives of the fatal flight. He said he had already talked to Greek President Karolos Papoulias, Greek Premier Costas Karamanlis and main opposition leader George Papandreou. Earlier today the Cypriot President presided over a meeting at Larnaca International Airport. [16] Helios Airways air crash - EU Commissioner expresses sadness1925:CYPPRESS:17Helios Airways air crash - EU Commissioner expresses sadness Nicosia, Aug 14 (CNA) -- European Union Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot has expressed deep sadness at the loss of life, following an air crash of a Cypriot airline "Helios", at around noon today near Athens. ''My sympathies go out to the families and friends of the victims and all those affected by this tragic event,'' he said, according to AFP. ''This latest incident shows that in spite of all that has already been done to improve the safety of Europe's skies, we must intensify our joint efforts to ensure the very highest safety standards for all Europe's air passengers and crew,'' Barrot said. [17] Helios Airways air crash - Turkish Cypriot leader expresses condolences1955:CYPPRESS:18Helios Airways air crash-Turkish Cypriot leader expresses condolences Nicosia, Aug 14 (CNA) -- The leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Mehmet Ali Talat has expressed his deep sorrow and shock at the death of the passengers and crew of an Helios Airways, that crashed today near Athens. An official press statement said that Talat conveyed his sincere condolences to Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos in a telephone conversation, following the crash of the Boeing 737, destined for Prague via Athens. The full text of the statement reads as follows: ''President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos had a telephone conversation with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. The Turkish Cypriot leader expressed to the President of the Republic his deep sorrow and his shock about the air accident which caused the death of a large number of persons. The President of the Republic thanked warmly Talat for his condolences and expressed his appreciation for his personal interest in this big human tragedy. The leader of the Turkish Cypriot Democratic Party Serdar Denktash has also conveyed to the President of the Republic his warm condolences.'' [18] Helios Airways air crash - Minister of Communications - Press conference2015:CYPPRESS:19Helios Airways air crash -Minister of Communications-Press conference Larnaca, Aug 14 (CNA) -- Cyprus Minister of Communications and Works Haris Thrassou said here today that the fatal aircraft of Helios Airways that crashed near Athens earlier today had a clean bill of health. He said there is no indication that the aircraft came down as a result of a terrorist attack. Speaking at a press conference, he said most passengers out of the 115 on board flight HCY 522 were Cypriot nationals. Thrassou said a charter flight will leave Monday morning for Athens to take first degree relatives of the victims. He said there is no information to indicate that there are survivors from this air tragedy. The minister said no passenger list will be published but next of kin of passengers and crew have already been notified. MORE LATER CNA MM/GP/2005 ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
[19] Helios Airways air crash - Cabinet decisions2030:CYPPRESS:20Helios Airways air crash - Cabinet decisions Nicosia, Aug 14 (CNA) -- The Council of Ministers, that met here today under President Tassos Papadopoulos to discuss the situation following today's air crash of a Cypriot aircraft of Helios Airways, near Athens, took a series of decisions to deal with the emergency situation. Cabinet secretary Andreas Molesky announced the decisions as follows: The Cabinet decided to charter a plane to carry relatives of the victims to Athens. The flight will take place Monday morning. It decided to mobilise social welfare services to support the affected families and offer help to people who need it. The Cabinet declares a three-day official mourning and will issue a decree to fly the Cyprus flag at half mast at all government buildings at home and abroad. Ministers and government officials will not attend any celebrations during the three-day official mourning. The emergency Cabinet meeting, chaired by Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, took place as Cyprus was mourning the death of 121 persons on board flight HCY 522, heading for Prague via Athens. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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