Andreas Karios

Andreas Karios was a Cypriot fighter during the EOKA campaign against the British (1955 - 1959).

Karios was born in Avgorou, Ammochostos province, on July 16, 1926, one of eight children of Panagiotis and Androula Karios.

Karios joined EOKA before the struggle broke out. He actively recruited members and organised the resistance in Avgorou. On the very first day the struggle broke out - April 1, 1955 - he took part in the act of sabotage of the electric power station which cost the life of Modestos Panteli, the first casualty of the struggle. In November of 1957 he was arrested in Ormidia and incarcerated in Pyla prison. He managed to escape on March 12, 1958 along with Fotis Pittas and two others.

After his escape, Karios became deputy area of EOKA guerrilas in the Kokkinochoria area. He and three companions - Fotis Pittas, Christos Samaras and Elias Papakyriakou - were caught up in Liopetri in the middle of a British search operation. The four men tried to break through the British lines but failed and took refuge in the barn of local man Panagiotis Kallis. The Battle of Liopetri ensued, on September 2, 1958 and the four men fell as they charged out when the barn was set on fire.

Karios left behind a wife and two children.