Father’s words move me to tears 19 year old soldierwho died this morning November 26 at the training ground Afand on the island Rhodes after an abnormal operation of a hand grenade.
“Yesterday I returned from Rhodes, and today I’m flying there again to pick up a child in a coffin.”. This phrase from the father of a 19 year old Rafailasaid on TV channel Mega shortly after he learned of his son’s death, conveys the full scale of this family tragedy.
Father of a deceased 19-year-old contract soldier in Rhodes: “I returned yesterday, and today I’m going to pick up my son in a box” pic.twitter.com/kWwZWS69o6
— Athens News (@russianathens) November 26, 2025
The father said that his son died during training sessions. This was only Raphael’s second day in the new unit. In the morning they managed to talk on the phone, and the young man was happy, full of enthusiasm and impatience.
19 year old contract soldier was born November 1, 2006 and was called up to serve in Greek army (Ελληνικός Στρατός) in January.
In January 2025 his father accompanied him to the gates of the military camp “ΥΠΟΣΤΡΑΤΗΓΟΥ ΑΝΔΡΕΑ ΚΑΛΛΙΝΣΚΗ” in Nea Peramos, named after Brigadier General Andreas Kallinskis. This last image of his son returns today with unbearable heaviness.
The father of the deceased serves Greek Coast Guard officer (Λιμενικό Σώμα) on duty in the area Kokinos Pyrgos in the south Heraklionat a time when the country’s maritime borders are under constant and strong migration pressure.
Raphael’s mother works at KEP (Citizen Service Center), and the family comes from the locality Timbaki municipality Festoswhere Raphael grew up with his older sister.
How the explosion happened
Tragedy on November 26 during training sessions using ammunition at the training ground Afand on Rhodes. According to the publication “Ροδιακή”, death occurred after the explosion of a defensive hand grenade, the pin of which was removed by mistake.
As a result of the same explosion 39 year old epilohias (sergeant)who also served as a pyrotechnics instructor, was extremely seriously injured and suffered amputation of his limbs. Doctors at Rhodes Hospital continue to fight for his life. The wounded officer is reported to be the father of two children.
The incident occurred around 10:00 am on Wednesday, November 26, in the area Afand. Two soldiers assigned to weapons and ammunition handling were moving grenades and other equipment when one of them mistakenly activated a grenade, causing an immediate explosion.
According to “Ροδιακή”, the explosion occurred instantly, leaving the 19-year-old soldier with no chance of salvation. The second soldier was taken to hospital in critical condition, where he is currently undergoing surgery.
As a result of the same explosion 39 year old epilohias (sergeant)who also served as a pyrotechnics instructor, was extremely seriously injured and suffered amputation of his limbs. Doctors at Rhodes Hospital continue to fight for his life. The wounded officer is reported to be the father of two children.
The incident occurred around 10:00 am on Wednesday, November 26, in the area Afand. Two soldiers assigned to weapons and ammunition handling were moving grenades and other equipment when one of them mistakenly activated a grenade, causing an immediate explosion.
According to “Ροδιακή”, the explosion occurred instantly, leaving the 19-year-old soldier with no chance of salvation. The second soldier was taken to hospital in critical condition, where he is currently undergoing surgery.
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