July 11, 2011 is a signpost for the state to do all that is required so that we do not experience such a tragedy again, Cyprus President, Nikos Christodoulides, said on Thursday in his speech at the memorial service for those killed in a massive munitions blast that occurred that day at the 'Evangelos Florakis' naval base in Mari, in the Larnaca district. The sacrifice of the 13 victims, was a constant reminder of everyone's obligation, especially those who serve the country, to act with care, be responsible but, above all, be accountable, he added. 'We are all here to pay due respect to the 13 fallen martyrs who died that fateful morning', he said. President Christodoulides expressed 'the sincere apologies' of the State for mistakes and omissions that led to this tragedy. The tragedy of July 11, 2011, he noted, was due to a sequence of mistakes, actions and events that have one thing in common, 'the lack of concern and care that many of those at the highest level of the administrative, military and politi cal hierarchy should have shown.' Stating that accidents will always happen, he said that the point is to act proactively and take measures to limit their effects as much as possible. 'This should also be the guide of our actions', he said. 'July 11, 2011 is the signpost for us to do all that is necessary so that we do not experience such a tragedy again', he said. During the event, a memorial service was carried out by Archbishop Georgios, in the presence, among others, of the President of the Parliament, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Justice, the Deputy Ministers of Shipping and Immigration, representatives of the Police, the National Guard and the Fire Service, party leaders, the Ambassador of Greece in Cyprus, the wife of the former President of the Republic, Andri Anastasiades, and relatives of the victims. President Christodoulides, and others, laid wreaths at the monument that has been erected on site. The massive blast occurred on 11 July 2011 when munitions stored in a number of containers, which Cyprus had confiscated from "Monchegorsk", a vessel sailing from Iran to Syria in 2009, exploded. As a result of the explosion and the shock wave that followed, the nearby power station in Vassilikos suffered extensive damage that led to power cuts for some time after the blast. More than 60 people were injured during the explosion. Military officers Andreas Ioannides, Lambros Lambrou, Kleanthis Kleanthous, Michalis Heracleous, Miltiades Christophorou, Christakis Christophorou and Andreas Chralambous were killed by the blast as well as firefighters Andreas Papadopoulos, Vasilis Krokos, Spyros Tantis, Panayiotis Theophilou, Giorgos Yiakoumi and Adamos Adamou. Source: Cyprus News Agency