Hundreds of people, many dressed in white Tshirts, crowded into and around the Archangel Michael church in Frenaros on Tuesday for the funeral of the three young men killed in a traffic accident in the village on Sunday.
The three victims, Martinos Martis, Irenaios Adamos, both aged 20, and Nikolas Koutsos, 18, died when their vehicle was involved in a collision in the early hours of Sunday morning with one other vehicle. Two other young men remain in hospital.
The church could not accommodate the large crowd of family members, villagers, and friends who attended the service, dressed in white shirts at the families’ request.
Panayiota Pieridou, representing Koutsos’ family, described him as irreplaceable. “I don’t know how we will live without you,” she said.
“It’s time for you to go to your grandfather Vasilis, who adored you, and meet grandfather Martis and grandmother Mariou,” Martis’ sister said.
Adamos’ aunt Pantelitsa Masoura spoke on behalf of his family, recalling his dreams and goals.
“You left too soon. You were just 20, full of life and ambition,” she said, calling him a vibrant presence who would be deeply missed.
As the bodies arrived at the church, a National Guard band played a funeral march. The youngest victim and one of the injured were both conscripts in the army.
Military officials also paid tribute to the two soldiers. Lieutenant Colonel Spyros Perdios described Koutsos as “a worthy member of the National Guard who left an irreplaceable void”.
Lieutenant George Thomas and Lieutenant Konstantinos Stylianos expressed similar sentiments about Martis and Adamou, praising their dedication and contribution to their community and the National Guard.
Local officials also spoke at the service. Paralimni-Deryneia mayor Georgios Nikoletos called the loss of the three young men “a tragedy for the entire community”, while Frenaros deputy mayor Kostas Michael offered his condolences to the victims’ families and prayers for two other injured individuals still hospitalised.
The funeral service was officiated by Bishop of Constantia and Famagusta Vasilios and attended by House president Annita Demetriou, Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis and Deputy Tourism Minister Kostas Koumis, as well as several MPs.
Following the service, wreaths were laid by family members and officials including representatives of President Nikos Christodoulides’ office.
The three coffins, draped in Greek and Cypriot flags, were carried out of the church amid clapping from the crowd. The procession then made its way to the Frenaros cemetery, where the victims were buried.
The funeral marked a day of mourning for the village, with most local businesses closing between midday and 5pm out of respect for the victims and their families.
Autopsies indicated that the cause of death of the three young men was multiple injuries sustained during the accident.
The 18-year-old, who is being treated at Famagusta general hospital, is stable and out of danger.
The condition of the 22-year-old being treated at Nicosia general hospital is serious but stable.
A 44-year-old who had been driving the other car involved in the accident was initially arrested by police but was later released. His alcotest and narcotest indications were zero.
Blood samples have been taken from the 18-year-old driver.
Famagusta traffic police in cooperation with the police headquarters’ traffic department began new investigations on Monday and reconstructed the scene.
