NICOSIA – Cyprus has declared a three-day mourning period to honor two college students who were among the dozens killed in a head-on collision between two trains in Greece. The students were on board one of the trains headed to Thessaloniki, where they attended universities.

One of the victims was identified as 23-year-old Kyprianos Papaioannou from Avgorou, using DNA testing, as many of the victims were either burned beyond recognition or crushed. The body of 24-year-old Anastasia Adamidou, a dental school student, was also identified, according to The Cyprus Mail.

The newly elected president of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, expressed his deepest sympathies to the families and announced that the state will cover the cost of transferring the bodies and their funeral expenses. In addition, Ersin Tatar, the Turkish-Cypriot leader, called to offer his condolences to the families of the two students.

The Famagusta Music School, where Papaioannou was a member, paid tribute to him by spelling out his name with school bags on the grounds, symbolizing their loss, according to the report.

Papaioannou had a passion for Byzantine music and focused on Greek Orthodox chanting at the Famagusta Music School. After completing his military service, he continued his studies in law at Aristotle University in Thessaloniki. The report stated that he was returning to Thessaloniki after spending a long weekend with his fiancée. Similarly, Adamidou was also on the train after a trip to Athens.

Andrea Joseph, the principal of Adamidou’s lyceum, expressed her condolences to the family and noted that Adamidou stood out for her ethos, community involvement, and academic performance. Joseph also mentioned that Adamidou was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.