Popi Christoforou, the mother of twins Miltos and Christos Christoforou who were killed in the deadly Mari explosion in 2011, died on Sunday after battling cancer.

Christoforou became one of the most recognisable figures among the relatives of the 13 people killed in the July 11, 2011 explosion at the Evangelos Florakis naval base, persistently campaigning for accountability and justice over the disaster.

Her funeral will be held on Thursday at the Ayia Triada church, Limassol and Popi had left detailed instructions for it, including that mourners wear white. She also asked to be buried in her father’s grave rather than at Sfalangiotissa cemetery, where her sons are buried.

President Nikos Christodoulides expressed his sorrow for the death, describing her as a “symbol of inner strength, dignity and determination”.

“With great sadness I learned of the death of Popi Christoforou, the tragic mother of the heroic twins Miltos and Christos, who lost their lives in the deadly explosion at Mari,” he said in a written statement.

Christodoulides said she had turned the unbearable pain of losing her two sons into a continuous struggle “for justice, responsibility and accountability”.

Through her stance and her fight, he added, Christoforou had served as a reminder of the state’s fundamental obligation to be accountable to every family that entrusts its children to the country, to every person who serves the state and to every citizen.

“Her memory will remain inextricably linked to the memory of Miltos and Christos and to the struggle of a mother who never stopped seeking justice for her children,” he said.

News of her death prompted an outpouring of condolences on social media, while Limassol municipality also expressed its “deep sorrow”.

Popi Christoforou at a protest

The municipality described Christoforou as “a mother who became a symbol, transforming her unspeakable personal pain into a relentless pursuit of truth and justice”.

“Following the tragic loss of her two children, twins Miltos and Christos, in the deadly explosion at Mari on July 11, 2011, she carried herself with dignity and unparalleled strength, keeping their memory alive,” the municipality said.

“Her presence and the way she lived her life leave a powerful mark on Cypriot society.”

Political figures and parties also paid tribute to Popi Christoforou, remembering her as a symbol of the tragedy at Mari and of the long struggle for justice that followed.

House president and Disy leader Annita Demetriou said Cyprus had lost “the heroic mother who became a symbol of the Mari tragedy”.

Writing on X, Demetriou said the state had a duty to do everything in its power to ensure no other parent ever experienced such pain.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband Michalis and daughter Georgia. May her memory be eternal, close to her two angels, her Miltos and Christos,” she added.

Akel expressed its “sadness and respect” over Christoforou’s death, saying the loss of her twin sons Miltos and Christos in the July 11, 2011 explosion at the Evangelos Florakis naval base had been a deep wound both for her and for the entire country.

“Our concern and duty is to ensure that such tragedies never happen again in the future,” the party said.

Dipa described Christoforou as a “symbol of strength, dignity and an unrelenting struggle for justice and vindication”.

Elam also expressed its condolences, saying Christoforou had died following a battle with cancer and would be remembered for fighting until the end for justice for her sons.