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[miltiades]

Today is exactly 60 years since an event that shaped the lives of the Stroumbi inhabitants, 22 people killed in Cyprus's most catastrophic modern times earthquake.

In the early hours of the morning when menfolk were gathered in the village square café sipping their morning café , the women collecting water from their neighbourhood vrises for their daily needs , the devastating thunderous earth tremor struck the village, sending scare stricken men and women in a frenzy of panic as each rushed to their destroyed homes in search of their loved ones.

Eleni was from Kato Platres, moved to Stroumbi after her wedding, a pleasantly plump woman in her very early thirties, a wonderful cook and much in demand by the villagers who would employ her to cook traditional Cypriot dishes apart from Koutsia, Fasolia and revithia. She was a very good pastry cook, her pantespani much in demand in the village.

The earthquake lasted but a few seconds, enough to turn the village into ruins.

Alas Eleni was not amongst those making their way to their now ruined houses, her last words according to witnesses at the scene was " Ta mora mou"

She had four children, the oldest 12 and the youngest 5 years old.

RIP my beloved mother...

[supporttheunderdog]

RIP indeed.

A tragedy for the village but more so for the people: houses can be rebuilt but people can never be replaced.

[kurupetos]

The history of Earthquakes in Cyprus can be found in this link:
http://www.moa.gov.cy/moa/gsd/gsd.nsf/d ... enDocument

RIP to all 40 people who died in 1953.

[miltiades]

Such a long time ago, yet the memories linger on, a strange feeling appears out of nowhere on this very day. Does not matter where Im , the emotions are always so prevalent, so surreal
and emotional. I do try to be in Stroumbi on this day, not able to do so this years.

Went to a local church this morning in Zhlobin, for a non believer this is weird but on such a day nothing matters than acute concentration on the events of that morning so many years ago. It makes me feel better, I suppose that is what religion ought to be. To make one feel better.

[repulsewarrior]

cheers doc.

[miltiades]

September the 10th 1953, Stroumbi Paphos.

62 years ago, yet the poignancy of events that changed the lives of so many lingers on.

This thread is dedicated to all those that lost their lives in the earthquake in Stroumbi and surrounding villages in September 1953.
It was the most catastrophic earthquake that struck Cyprus in modern times.

Such a long time ago, yet the anamnesis of those that lived to tell the story remains so vividly sharp, a day of remembering and day that has entrenched it self deep in the memory, just as other luminous dates, birthdays, wedding anniversaries and such.

It was on a Thursday,
" Paphos 1953 Earthquake.

On Thursday, September 10, 1953, at about 6.00 in the morning "the peacefulness of the Paphos district was shaken with one of the strongest earthquakes ever known in Cyprus" (in modern times, of course, as are other major earthquakes overstretched Cyprus before).

Within a few seconds, destroyed 1,600 homes and 10,000 houses and other public buildings suffered various damages. Five villages (Stroumbi, Kidasi, Lapithiou, Axylus, Fasoula) turned into ruins and other 105 were less damaged. Since the earthquake killed 39 people and another died later from his injuries. Of the 100 injured requiring hospital treatment. Because at the time of the earthquake many farmers were in their work prevented greater losses.

The tremors were felt throughout Cyprus, mainly in Limassol.

Below is the official map of the region was hit with an indication of the seriousness of the batter in each community. Also some photos of the damage, as published in the era form.

The first picture shows what remained of the church in Stroumbi.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php? ... 8480551743

[supporttheunderdog]

Once again sincerest condolences on your losses.

[GreekIslandGirl]

Really sad to be reminded of this catastrophe. Feel for your sad loss as my parents were starting their young life together not far from Stroumbi, as you know Milty, and it could so easily have been them losing loved ones too. They were so close by that they would have felt this devastating earthquake too and would have known of the sad and unfortunate passing of so many innocent lives.

We are all shaped by our experiences and you have a lot to be angry about.

[Garavnoss]

In 1951 [or thereabouts] the Yanks were experimenting with their new toy "The Nuclear Bomb" and without considering the consequences [they did not know] came up with the brilliant idea of detonating these devices underground.

Seismologists and eminent scientists [of that time] were gravely concerned that such actions could trigger reactions which might result in earthquakes [together with many other dangerous consequences to the environment] pointing out that a "Nuclear Explosion" underground might have an effect in the "Tectonic plates" [again they did not know] but regardless of the fact that there were concerns, the Yanks carried out their tests.

Reactions to such explosions are known to take time to reveal themselves, it IS possible that the earthquake in Cyprus was a direct result of the initial experiments [we will never know] since, subsequent to the early experiments, new guidelines were imposed and the practise was subjected to stringent controls.

Proof of the ignorance abounding the use of "Nuclear Devices" is brilliantly portrayed in a "Film" made by the Yanks [for public entertainment] and was titled "War of the Worlds", in it they dropped a nuclear bomb on the nest of Alien warships and observed the outcome from a distance not too far from the explosion.

Upon removing their goggles to examine the "Mushroom Cloud", a fine white dust was all over their faces, they did not know [at that time] that the dust would kill them.

Such was/is the danger of venturing into the unknown, but the Yanks will never learn.

How sad it would be if the Cyprus earthquake [the strongest ever at that time] was the result of yet another Yankee miscalculation, as mentioned, WE will never know because the "Drawbridge" leading to the inner sanctums of truth, has long ago been raised.

[miltiades]

Really sad to be reminded of this catastrophe. Feel for your sad loss as my parents were starting their young life together not far from Stroumbi, as you know Milty, and it could so easily have been them losing loved ones too. They were so close by that they would have felt this devastating earthquake too and would have known of the sad and unfortunate passing of so many innocent lives.

We are all shaped by our experiences and you have a lot to be angry about.

Hi S, Im sure your parents would have become aware of the tremors that crushed Stroumbi in the early hours that fateful day in September 1953. Many came to see and visit Stroumbi from nearby villages.
Strange that the passing of time has not eradicated a single moment of my recollection of the earthquake, even minute details are entrenched deeply for ever in my mind.

I dont feel angry, Im not a cynic but a realist, life continued after the earthquake, my mothers four children carry her DNA, so do her 11 grandchildren, 17 great grand children,
and so far 2 great great grandchildren, all well and healthy.If I left anyone out is not intentional but a minor defect of memory.

Family and family values are of the utmost importance to me.

Im very luck to have lived through 8 decades and look forward to the next 8