Blast aftermath
July 18, 2011
A deadly explosion on the eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus last week looks to have claimed a second political scalp with the country's foreign minister, Markos Kyprianou, announcing his resignation on Monday.
The blast at a navy base munitions installation on July 11 claimed 13 lives and knocked out the divided island's biggest power plant.
After giving evidence to parliament, Kyprianou told reporters he would ask President Demetris Christofias to accept his resignation "not because there is a sense of guilt, but for reasons of political sensitivity."
It's thought that at least five ministers in Republic of Cyprus government had prior knowledge that the 98 shipping containers full of munitions could explode.
Among those killed was the head of the Cyprus navy, Captain Andreas Ioannides. The blast also claimed the lives of six firemen and six other military personnel.
"This is the biggest crisis since 1974, both politically and economically," said Yiannakis Omirou, house speaker.
Since the blast, thousands have gathered nightly outside the presidential palace to call on Christofias to resign following the island's worst peacetime military disaster. Another large rally is set for Tuesday.
Author: Darren Mara (AFP, Reuters)
Editor: Martin Kuebler