Mother of Mari explosion victims Popi Christoforou laid to rest in Limassol

Limassol, Cyprus. Popi Christoforou, the mother of twin sailors Miltos and Christos who were killed in the Mari naval base explosion, was laid to rest on Thursday following a long battle with cancer. She had become a prominent figure in efforts to secure justice for the 13 people killed in the 2011 disaster.

Funeral attendance

Relatives and state officials attended the funeral at the Holy Trinity Church, with many wearing white and blue in accordance with Christoforou’s final wish.

A naval delegation attended in tribute to her two sons. A delegation of motorcyclists from the Tassos Isaac and Solomos Solomou memorial initiative was also present.

President Nikos Christodoulides was represented by Deputy Shipping Minister Marina Hadjimanolis. Those attending also included Disy president Annita Demetriou, Diko president Nicolas Papadopoulos, former president Nicos Anastasiades and Limassol Mayor Yiannis Armeftis.

Mari explosion

Christoforou campaigned on behalf of the families of those killed in the July 11, 2011 explosion at the Evangelos Florakis naval base in Mari.

The blast killed 13 people, including naval officers and firefighters, after confiscated munitions stored at the base detonated. The disaster triggered a major political and military crisis and led to an investigation into the storage and handling of the explosives.

Following her death, Christodoulides described Christoforou as a “symbol of mental strength, dignity and fighting spirit”. Her death also prompted tributes from political figures and others who had followed her efforts for the families of the victims.