Afroditi Nestora has described surviving a deadly terrorist arson attack in Thessaloniki that killed her mother 41 days ago, saying perpetrators intended to cause victims. Nestora spoke to ALPHA television about the explosion and fire inside her residential building.
Nestora said consecutive explosions triggered an unbelievable wave of smoke and flames that rose to the sixth and seventh floors of the building. Her mother managed to walk down five steps out of anxiety to see what was happening, but she never reached the entrance.
Nestora walked down to investigate the commotion herself before returning upstairs to try to manage the situation. She described that sequence of events as making the outcome even more tragic.
Attack Details and Injuries
Speaking 41 days after the incident, Nestora stated that when someone burns in front of their home, the goal is clearly not simple intimidation. She said the attack was carried out specifically to take human lives.
Nestora suffered serious injuries and severe burns to her lower limbs, which left her with walking difficulties. Despite those injuries and advice from doctors, she attended her mother's funeral service.
She said anyone in her situation would have done the same, calling it unthinkable not to bid farewell to the person who gave her life. She added that attending the funeral was the minimum duty she owed her mother.
Tribute and Public Role
Nestora paid tribute to her mother, calling her a deeply giving person who devoted her entire life to her family and children. She said colleagues, business partners, and acquaintances always spoke of her mother in the highest terms.
Expressing pride in being her daughter, Nestora said her mother offered a warm embrace to everyone and left a void that can never be filled. She acknowledged that she would likely never get over the trauma of the terrifying event.
She wished that no family, neighbor, or resident of Thessaloniki would ever experience such terror. Nestora vowed to remain active in the city's public affairs out of a sense of duty to her family and her supporters.
