The Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, has declared a three-day mourning period in the Armed Forces following the death of a 19-year-old professional soldier (EPOP) in Rhodes.

The accident occurred during a training grenade throw, with early signs pointing to mishandling and premature activation.

The 19-year-old soldier died instantly, while a 39-year-old EPOP sergeant was seriously injured and suffered an amputation of an upper limb.

The deceased soldier was from Tympaki, Heraklion, Crete, and was the son of the Commander of the Coast Guard Station of Kokkinos Pyrgos.

The Army General Staff is investigating the causes of the incident and expresses its condolences to the family of the deceased.

Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias declared a three-day mourning period in the Armed Forces from November 26 to 28 following the death of the professional soldier during exercises in Rhodes.

The 19-year-old EPOP who lost his life in Rhodes on the morning of Wednesday, November 26, was from Tympaki, municipality of Faistos in Heraklion, Crete. Initial findings suggest the accident was caused by mishandling leading to premature grenade detonation.

The young soldier who died instantly was the son of the Commander of the Coast Guard Station of Kokkinos Pyrgos in Heraklion, while his mother is a supervisor at the Citizens’ Service Centers (KEP) in Tympaki. According to the newspaper “Patris,” his sister is a police officer serving outside Crete. Sources close to the family say that the father was expected to travel to Rhodes soon to meet the 19-year-old.

With a heartbreaking mantinada (traditional Cretan lament), the father of 19-year-old Rafael, who was killed Wednesday morning in Rhodes, posted his son’s obituary. The young soldier lost his life during a training exercise at a military firing range when a grenade exploded.

“I wanted to post a different photo of you,
of your wedding, my love,
to have joys to celebrate…
My son, thank you for the beautiful moments you gave us,
but I cannot forgive you for the pain you left us…
Farewell until we meet again…”

How the accident happened in Rhodes
The accident took place at the firing range in the Afantou area of Rhodes during a scheduled grenade training exercise of the 6th National Guard Battalion (ETEΘ). According to Rhodes’ “Dimokratiki” newspaper, the 19-year-old EPOP soldier was fatally injured, and a 39-year-old EPOP sergeant suffered severe injuries and an upper limb amputation. Both were immediately transported to Rhodes General Hospital where the death of the younger soldier was confirmed, while medical efforts are ongoing to stabilize the injured sergeant.

The incident occurred while handling a defensive hand grenade when an explosion happened very close to personnel. Early indications point to handling error and premature detonation, a scenario under investigation by the relevant authorities. The impact was asymmetrical, as the 19-year-old was at the center of the blast’s force and shrapnel, while the 39-year-old suffered amputation at the elbow and extensive wounds to the torso and limbs.

A medical evacuation team acted promptly to remove the two soldiers from the Afantou area. At Rhodes General Hospital, the 19-year-old was declared dead. The 39-year-old was admitted intubated, with severe bleeding and multiple shrapnel wounds, and underwent immediate surgery and stabilization procedures. According to official updates, his condition remains critical. The injured sergeant is married and a father of two children, adding an even deeper human dimension to the tragedy.

Statement from the Army General Staff
The Army General Staff announces that on the morning of Wednesday, November 26, 2025, during a scheduled grenade training exercise on the island of Rhodes, the 19-year-old unmarried professional soldier R.G. was fatally injured, and the 39-year-old married sergeant M.V., father of two children, was seriously injured. Both were immediately transported to Rhodes General Hospital, where the death of the first was confirmed, and the second is undergoing surgery.

The causes of the incident are under official investigation.

The Army General Staff expresses its sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.

Dendias’ message on the death of the 19-year-old
Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias posted: “I express my deepest sorrow for the loss of the professional soldier during a scheduled training exercise in Rhodes. Our thoughts are with his family and colleagues, to whom I extend my most sincere condolences. I wish a speedy recovery to the professional sergeant who was injured in the same training activity.”