September 3, 1952
FATALITIES IN EXPLOSION: A terrible explosion took place at midnight Saturday (August 30) at an ammunitions dump situated at the Royal Naval Base, plunging the Greek navy into mourning. Thirteen people were killed in the explosion, two of whom were officers and five NCOs. The rest of the victims of the explosion were sailors. Also killed was a civilian, while 36 other people were injured. ‘PRESS’ JUDGEMENT: According to the initial evaluations, the explosion that killed so many people at the ammunitions dump at the Royal Naval Base was the work of criminal saboteurs. Although the government is doing its best to cover up its considerable responsibilities by attempting to attribute the explosion to an accidental fire, it is considered certain that the investigation will shed full light on this fatal tragedy at the naval base and that every attempt to conceal this latest criminal provocation by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) is destined to fail. THE VICTIMS: Lt. Frangiskos, Chief Petty Officer Kounelis, Chief Petty Officer Perifanakis, Petty Officer Kafouros, sailors Kostopoulos, Yiannochoros, Baroutsis, gunner D. Bekos, steward A. Drazinas, Sublieutenant (retired) Kolliopoulos, Reserve Chief Petty Officer K. Gofas, seaman Zisimos and civilian laborer Evstathiou.
