Helios Airline Offices Raided by Police

16/08/2005| IslamWeb

Cypriot police have raided the offices of the low-cost airline Helios in Nicosia, and have opened their own enquiry into the crash near Athens on Sunday that killed 121 people.

The Greek authorities are also investigating the disaster. It is still unclear as to why the Boeing 737 went down after losing radio contact, although both of the aircraft's flight recorders have been recovered, and should yield vital clues. The most likely reason seems to be a loss of cabin pressure, immobilising the pilots.

A reported text message from a passenger to a relative that might have confirmed that idea has been exposed as a hoax, and Greek police have arrested the man who made the claim to several television stations.

He has admitted fabricating the story. Meanwhile the Cypriots have begun a three-day period of national mourning. 110 of the victims came from the island.

The tragedy has produced a rare contact with the Turkish Cypriots in the north, whose authorities have offered their condolences to the families.

PHOTO CAPTION

A Helios Airways 737 airliner sits on the tarmac after crew and passengers refused to fly in it, at the airport in Larnaca, Cyprus August 15, 2005. (REUTERS)