Α report on the cause of an Helios air crash earlier this month, that killed all 121 people on board, will be ready in six months’ time, if all goes to plan, Akrivos Tsolakis, Head of the Greek Investigating Commission on Air Accidents and Incidents said here tonight, as he arrived on the island to continue his investigations.
He also said the object of the investigations he is conducting is to establish the cause of the accident.
The Helios Airways Boeing 737, from Larnaca to Prague via Athens, crashed near the Greek capital on August 14 killing 115 passengers and six crew.|
Speaking to journalists at the airport, Tsolakis said the purpose of the commission’s visit to Cyprus “is to meet the conditions set out by international regulations on investigating air accidents and by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the EU and Greek legislation”.
“The objective of the investigation of our commission, which is an independent body and acts in line with European rules and regulations, is to establish the reasons that led to this disaster,” he pointed out.
He said the Commission will draw as much information as it can from the Cypriot side and put all the findings together to reach a conclusion that will be worthy of the expectations not only of those who lost their loved ones but also of people throughout the world.
“This kind of accident has an international dimension. Everyone is waiting for us to reach an end to the investigation and find out the causes which will provide explanations to everything that has happened”, he said.
The head of the Greek Commission called on journalists to allow the members of the team to carry out their work on the island “as calmly as possible”, noting that statements and information will be released as appropriate.
He said the entire process of investigation was confidential.
Asked when the report will be ready, Tsolakis said in six months provided the Commission continues to work in this rhythm.
“To the extent that I can give any assurances, I can tell you that we believe that, at the rate that we are working, the report will be ready within the framework provided to us by law, that is six months,” he said.
“We are optimistic,” he added.
Tsolakis urged journalists to “encourage the people to fly; this (accident) is not the end of aviation. Millions of people fly daily and thousands of planes too. Accidents unfortunately happen, and the aim is to investigate them, to find out the causes and not to lose planes and people from the same reasons”.
“We are very moved, both myself and the members of the Commission, to be here tonight, in Cyprus, and we are especially sad because we are getting closer to the people who lost their loved ones and are suffering. The Commission and the people of Greece share their grief”, he concluded.
The Greek delegation will be received tomorrow by President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos and will also hold a meeting with Communications and Works Minister Haris Thrasou.
Most of the 121 persons killed were Cypriots, many of them going on holiday.
