Explosion in base in the South

frontalman



Joined: 28/02/2008
Posts: 499

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 08:51

This from Sky News



At least eight people have been killed in a huge explosion at an army base in Cyprus, it has been reported.

The Cyprus News Agency said dozens of people have been injured at the Evangelos Florakis base, between the southern coastal cities of Limassol and Larnaca.



It is believed the blast occurred in an area where munitions seized from a vessel heading to Syria from Iran in 2009 had been dumped.



More to follow...

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 09:17

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/11/us-cyprus-base-explosions-idUSTRE76A0EP20110711



Chris

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 09:29

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14102253





IF you're interested -..This base can be seen - if you are travelling towards Limassol from Nicosia / Larnaca and approaching the tall red / white stack then can be seen on the highway .. THAT is the power station that appears to be affected .. you can also see the entrance to the naval base from the highway.. it is near Governor's Beach.

scruffdog


Joined: 09/12/2008
Posts: 742

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 09:33

Thanks for the information Mark.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 09:34

Sabotage! Must be the Turkish Cypriots to blame!

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 09:34

It appears to have taken out a power station as well.



http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/11/us-cyprus-explosion-plant-idUSTRE76A0R020110711

zcacmxi


Joined: 30/11/2008
Posts: 388

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 12:24

Storing live munitions near a major power station... I'd like to think if I was in any position of authority, I'd not make decisions like that...

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 12:37

Noting one of the comments of the readers of cyprus mail only 2 of the 98 containers have exploded

whether accurate or not its very scary Martin Clark readers comment

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/evangelos-florakis/breaking-news-huge-explosion-evangelos-florakis-naval-base-least-8-dead/20110711

misunderstood


Joined: 08/04/2011
Posts: 1004

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 13:13

10 to 12 dead 40 plus injured, the dead are said to be fire fighters and natonal guards.



Power station affected by the fire and explosion, 60% of RoC supply down.



Thought to be started by fire in field near base,

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 13:28

How the containers came to be there

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monchegorsk_(ship)

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 14:38

We could sell them some electricity!!



Chris

davedee



Joined: 01/12/2008
Posts: 479

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 14:41

Builders rates Chris ?

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 14:51

Be fair. They did sell us electricity when the power station at Alagadi blew up a few years ago.

What great PR for us to return the compliment.

If only we had the spare capacity.

Deniz1


Joined: 28/07/2009
Posts: 3829

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 15:28

They could always cut our power off and sell it to ROC

Pugwash


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 1797

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 15:33

Don't give them ideas Deniz1

moritzkatz


Joined: 27/02/2011
Posts: 69

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 15:38

Were it not for the tragic loss of life this incident would real like the climax to a Clancy novel.

Weapons claimed to be bound for Gaza seized in 2009 - Last week Greeks prevent peace activists from sailing to Gaza and Arab nations consider Greece to be Israel’s co-conspirators oppressing the citizens of Gaza. One week later the Gaza bound weapons blow up Greek power plant and causes extensive damage meaning if indeed the explosives actually were for Gaza many believers may come to the assumption in the end, Allah has delivered them to intended targets from Gaza with love. Actually I live 4 to 6 months a year in Cyprus love this most beautiful island and Cypriots from both North and South so I am saddened by loss of live however could not help but notice the chain of events leaving me to wonder if this really was an accident.

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 15:42

Of course some GC spokesman on BBC had to mention "The Invasion of 1974" in connection with the incident.





The butler.

Rogerdoger


Joined: 04/09/2008
Posts: 102

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 15:47

Reported that 200 tons of impounded explosive was ignited by a brush fire, Nicosia and Aya Napa without electricty, as power station badly damaged in the blast also

zcacmxi


Joined: 30/11/2008
Posts: 388

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 15:47

Yes, I noticed '74 was mentioned in BBC news story too: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14102253



"... There was a lot of panic there. Older folk thought the Turks were invading.."



Turks were not involved in seizing all the munitions initially and placing them in the South next to a major power plant... They can thank their own authorities for that.

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 15:50

I am sad about what has happened, I am sad for the dead and their families and also for the injured and their families. Unfortunately the 'Monchegorsk' incident has been an embarrassment to the ROC government since the original incident happened but they received no real help from 'other' countries that forced the ROC to intervene.

What has happened afterwards is a matter of conjecture.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 15:52

If it was the Turks invading, it would have been a much bigger bang.

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 16:03

Is Larnaca airport still operational?

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 16:46

Cyprus's defence minister and army chief resigned after munitions dump blast that killed 12 people on Monday, government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said.

The explosion happened at a military base where confiscated Iranian munitions were being held. It shut down the island's largest power station, causing widespread power cuts.

"The explosion occured in material held since 2009 by the Republic from an Iranian vessel which was sailing to Syria...there are 12 dead and 62 injured," Stefanou said.

He said that defence minister Costas Papacostas and army chief Petros Tsalikidis had submitted their resignations, which were accepted by President Demetris Christofias.

There was no immediate word on the identity of those killed in the blast. Stefanou said the victims were all Cypriots.

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 16:47

The Iranian armaments were in the cargo of the Monchegorksk, a ship Cyprus intercepted in 2009 sailing from Iran to Syria in violation of U.N. sanctions on Iran.

Military sources said they believed all 98 containers of the Iranian arms, kept exposed in scorching temperatures, exploded.

Stefanou declined to give details on the storage conditions of the material, but said there had been a meeting on the issue last week

keithr


Joined: 20/08/2008
Posts: 720

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 18:42

If we do sell some leccy,please get a KDV receipt... lol

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 18:44

Keithr



As the RoC is owed MILLIONS for YEARS of supplying 'lecky to 'TRNC' - but won't invoice - as that means 'recognition' I think a quid pro quo might be a grand gesture..



Hopefully, some good may come of this tragedy.

keithr


Joined: 20/08/2008
Posts: 720

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 18:48

Msg 19.



The Turks would have done a proper job and put them well away from any hazard.

misunderstood


Joined: 08/04/2011
Posts: 1004

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 18:57

Spare a thought for the wives, mums and dads and children, sitting at home waiting for news of their firefighter and home guard sons and husbands and dads. Not really the time for levity.



Masy God protect and comfort them all.

keithr


Joined: 20/08/2008
Posts: 720

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 18:58

Only a quid Mark ????



lol

suehowlittle


Joined: 31/10/2010
Posts: 1202

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 19:17

Shocked and saddened by the loss of life. So very sorry for the families.

greylag


Joined: 08/04/2009
Posts: 1110

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 19:25

North,South East or West.It is still a tragedy,



Grey.

wanderer


Joined: 05/02/2009
Posts: 1653

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 21:10

Cyprus mail now has pictures to go with the article click to go through gallery

Thank god it was early and not to many about as it could have been worse

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/evangelos-florakis-blast-kills-12/20110711

araneae


Joined: 24/06/2011
Posts: 193

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 21:17

photos and video as well as updates http://tinyurl.com/6zbgx3r

squarefour


Joined: 01/03/2010
Posts: 21

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 21:21

What a sad bunch of people people -people dead and injured and itsd all a big laugh to some half wits .

bigOz


Joined: 29/09/2010
Posts: 1244

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 22:37

Keeping these explosives at a Greek National Guard camp after so long can only mean one thing; they were kept to be used against the TCs and/or the Turkish military backing them during any future conflict. I hope the remaining 18 containers go up in a smoke too, cause if they will ever be used against others, the casualty rate would be hundred fold! (hopefully the residents in that area will have the sense to move away from there)

ivebinad


Joined: 03/06/2011
Posts: 224

Message Posted:
11/07/2011 22:41

This is a tragedy and my thoughts are with the families of the dead and injured.

basil


Joined: 10/04/2009
Posts: 168

Message Posted:
12/07/2011 00:52

bigOz, 'I hope the remaining 18 containers go up in a smoke too'



Having noted the blast damage to the neighbouring power station (and chemical plant?) I doubt there will be much usable ordnance left; tread lightly until they find the stuff scattered around the area.



'(hopefully the residents in that area will have the sense to move away from there) '

Presumably local residents are unaffected by the pollution from the cement factory, enjoy the view of the pylons & chimneys and won't be greatly bothered by a few unexploded munitions in the fields around. (Should be okay, bubbles don't weigh much?) Bet they claim compensation though.

Jefferson


Joined: 17/05/2010
Posts: 360

Message Posted:
12/07/2011 06:07

Mess 34. I agree some of our usual "stars" have failed to shine yet again.

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
12/07/2011 06:12

The Defence Minister and Head of the army have now resigned because of this tragedy!



Chris

Carndi


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 613

Message Posted:
12/07/2011 09:28

I'm sorry for those who died and for their families.



Perhaps our politicians could learn from the actions of the Commanding Officer of the naval base and also the Minister of defence who resigned within hours of the tragic event.

Would our politicians have done the same. No chance.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
12/07/2011 10:25

mmmmmmmm



msg 26



Whilst it may be true that during the period immediately after 1974 the RoC supplied electricity at no charge for political reasons, it is not true for a few years ago when we had a serious failure of our power station outside Kyrenia. I believe that the TRNC was charged at about 1m pounds a day (?) by RoC.

Whether it was ever paid or not is another story.

jfoggy


Joined: 23/12/2006
Posts: 260

Message Posted:
12/07/2011 11:01

What a sad loss of lives, my thoughts are with the families whose loved ones died in this tragedy. I also hope the injured people make a good recovery both physically and emotionally.

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
14/07/2011 02:01

re 41 'TRNC' Vaughan



You are the second poster to suggest that the 'rump' RoC invoiced for the 'lecky - who could they invoice without implicitly recognising the entity... ?



If this impasse was broken you'd be able to roam with a 'TRNC' mobile phone in the 'rump' RoC and my CY mob would have worked in Turkey :(

erolz


Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3456

Message Posted:
14/07/2011 03:48

mmmmm they could have invoiced the TC chamber of commerce or a handful of other bodies that pre date 74 and are recognised internationaly. This body and a couple of others are not products of the TRNC but are bodies that pre date 74 and are recognised internationaly as legitimate bodies of the TC community, not the TRNC. This kind of 'work around' has been used in the past and continues to be used. The EU for example uses such bodies as a means of 'dealing' with the TC community whilst avoiding the problems of doing so directly with the unrecognised TRNC. The point is then that there are means of doing things like 'invoicing' for electricity without implicitly recognising the TRNC, should there be sufficent will to do so.

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
14/07/2011 08:56

Hi ErolZ



re 44



If the AIK ( CY 'lecky authority) have found a way to invoice for used, but unpaid 'lecky then I suspect they'd charge for all of it - not just that supplied recently...

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
14/07/2011 09:03

For the sums of money in question, they'd find a way.

araneae


Joined: 24/06/2011
Posts: 193

Message Posted:
14/07/2011 09:05

death toll increased to 13 now

erolz


Joined: 17/11/2008
Posts: 3456

Message Posted:
14/07/2011 09:14

MM My understanding was that the supply given a few years back by the RoC to the North when the main power plant in the North failed, was a gesutre of good will and the North paying for that was a recipricol gesture. Both parties were agreed , one to supply and one to pay. I do not know for a fact it was paid for but that is my understanding. The history of supply following 74 and into the 80's was very different to this more recent temporary agreement is my understanding.

MarkVPiazza


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 530

Message Posted:
14/07/2011 10:18

Reading the Cyprus Mail, the authorities are saying there will be power shortages for several months.



This sounds like a very positive spin on things - I would have thought several years at least