The book ‘Flight CY 284’ by Cypriot journalist Andreas Hatzikyriakos concerns the fatal flight from Athens International Airport to Nicosia International Airport and the tragic death of 66 people on 12 October 1967.

This disaster left Cyprus shocked and stunned, fuelling rumours of plots to eliminate certain political figures. Investigations based on evidence found at the scene of the accident revealed that a bomb had been planted on board.

Almost 55 years later, the British secret services are refusing to declassify their findings in order to disclose the reasons for which those on board, who were mostly Cypriot and Greek, and hence European citizens, lost their lives, indicating that they will not do so until 99 years after the event.

In view of this:

Does the Commission believe that it could help secure the declassification of the relevant documents with a view to finally resolving this mystery and thus alleviating the ongoing distress felt by the victims’ relatives and friends, a number of whom are still alive?

Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell i Fontelles on behalf of the European Commission