TRAGEDY - Three Greek officers killed, one injured by mortar shell blast

According to the state news agency, three Greek infantry officers, two professional sergeants, aged 33 and 34, and a 19-year-old Navy corporal doing his national service, were killed by a mortar shell blast at 13:30 on Tuesday, during planned firing of heavy infantry guns using 81-mm mortar rounds on the 'Glafyra' firing range in Magnesia, central Greece.

As such, Defence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos declared three days of mourning in the Armed Forces and the defence ministry political and military leadership has extended its condolences to the families of the victims.

The news dispatch also said that a 30-year-old lieutenant, who was taken to Volos Hospital. Until the time of print, it was noted that the officer's life was not at risk and his injuries were confined to the outer wall of the abdomen.

Later on, a Hellenic Army General Staff (HAGS) announcement said the accident occurred due to the splitting of a mortar tube during firing.

Deputy Defence Minister Ioannis Lambropoulos and the head of HAGS Lieut. Gen. Christos Manolas rushed to the scene.

Parallel to this, Larissa Court-Martial Prosecutor was briefed on the accident and an inquiry was ordered by the military leadership into its precise causes.

Opposition Communist Party of Greece (KKE) also expressed grief and extended condolences to the families of the victims who lost their lives in such a tragic way.