Six years have passed since the day that the Eye changed forever and one of the country’s greatest tragedies took place. 104 people died and dozens more are still suffering from the burns of July 23, 2018.
People who lived through the nightmare in Mati and suffered burns are still asking for justice. Twenty-one defendants are back in court, commemorations for the 6th anniversary of the tragedy are being held in Mati with the victims’ relatives.
The 21 accused sat on Monday (22.7.2024) again in the dock. It is the sixth session on the fatal fire in Mati after the prosecutor’s appeal was filed against the first instance decision. Time has stopped for most survivors of the deadly fire on July 23, 2018.
Jarek was in Mati on vacation with his family. His 38-year-old wife and 9-year-old son were burned. Every year on such a day, it is back to zero.
“I was trying to find them, my wife took my brother to Poland and told him “we are fine, we are getting on a boat for Rafina” and asked him to look for me” he says speaking to ERT unable to hold back his tears.
“Six years now our case has remained formal, for formal reasons it was never upgraded to a felony, for formal reasons those who should be as defendants are not here” emphasizes Aris Cheroubeim, a relative of four victims.
After the public prosecutor’s appeal, the trial for the tragedy in eastern Attica is starting from scratch for all 21 defendants.
Commemorative events for the 6th anniversary
Commemorative events for the 6th anniversary of the tragedy in Mati are taking place today, July 23, 2024. Prime Minister Mr. Mitsotakis will be represented by Minister of State Makis Voridis.
In the morning, a memorial Mass will be held, at the I.N of Ag. Ioannis, in Neo Voutza and at 09:30 High Priestly Memorial Service, in I.N. Dormition of the Virgin Mary, in Kokkino Limanaki, patron of the Most Reverend Archbishop of Mesogaia Mr. Nikolaos.
At 18:30, at the Memorial of the Victims, in Neo Voutza, a trisayo will be held followed by the Invocation of the 104 dead.
Afterwards, there will be a march towards Mati from Alexandrou, Diagora, Ekavis, Ismenis, (crossing Marathon Avenue), Kyanis Aktis and Posidonos streets.
At 20:00 the main event and the triathlon will be held at the Naval Sports Club in Mati (N.A.O.M.A.).
At 21:00, walking through Poseidon from N.A.O.MA, the Silver Coast will be approached.
In Argyra Akti, at the union of the two municipalities, Marathonos and Rafina-Pikermiou, the event started by the daughter of a victim will also take place: 104 floating lanterns left in the sea: “to travel them in memory of the people who drowned, in memory of the people who waited in the water with their flesh burning for help that came too late, of the people who cooled by the water, of the people who never arrived in the water, of the people who were trapped and had no water”.
With information from ERT
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