In an atmosphere of grief, the body of 19-year-old professional soldier Rafail Galyfianakis is expected to arrive in Heraklion today (27/11) at noon. He lost his life yesterday (26/11) in Rhodes, during a training exercise.
Those who knew the 19-year-old and his family are devastated, as they cannot believe how the young man passed away from one moment to the next.
Death of 19-year-old soldier: “When I heard it, I couldn’t believe it”, says Rafail’s friend
A friend of Rafail from Tympaki in the Municipality of Phaistos mentioned that in the coming days he was expecting him to come to Crete, so they could meet and spend time together as they used to. When he learned yesterday about his death, he couldn’t believe it. “I knew the kid. We have a one-year age difference. We used to hang out in the village. He was a very good kid, he didn’t bother anyone. I was waiting for him to come, to talk, to meet up, to spend time together. Unfortunately, the young man had this accident. My condolences to his family. When I heard it, I couldn’t believe it.”
“He was a good kid, wouldn’t hurt a fly”
“We feel very bad, we are extremely saddened,” says Mr. Panagiotis, a person who also knew the 19-year-old and his family. “We mourn a 19-year-old young man. I know the family. He was a good kid, wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
When the 19-year-old’s funeral will take place
Rafail’s funeral will take place on Friday, November 28th. Relatives and friends will say their final goodbye to 19-year-old Rafail at 11 AM at the Holy Church of Saint Titus in Tympaki.
Father of 19-year-old demands answers
“What matters most is for my child’s body to come to Heraklion as soon as possible. They told us it will travel tomorrow from Rhodes by C130,” said the visibly devastated father of the 19-year-old, just before boarding the plane to Rhodes. He emphasized that all he wants is to learn what really happened and for the injured sergeant who was with his son during the explosion and was seriously wounded to recover.
Rhodes: 39-year-old sergeant in critical condition
It should be noted that in yesterday’s incident, another soldier was very seriously injured. This is a 39-year-old sergeant and father of two children, who is in an extremely critical condition and underwent surgery at Rhodes Hospital. The 39-year-old was transferred by military helicopter to the 401st military hospital in Athens. The testimony of the 39-year-old explosives expert, when he is discharged from the hospital, is expected to shed light on the causes of the accident, as well as the testimonies of the soldiers who were present at the Afandou firing range.
