A British family rushed home from their “terrifying” holiday in Crete after two earthquakes hit.
Mum-of-two Nicole Arbuckle was enjoying a break in the Greek island with her husband and two sons when the first 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck.
The family decided to pack their bags and return home to Falkirk when the second quake rocked the island yesterday (22 May).
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Nicole, 29, who was with her husband Adam and two children, Lewis, eight, and Tommy, seven, booked a “last-minute flight” back to Scotland for later the same day.
“We’ve had enough of the earthquakes in Crete, we’re going home,” Nicole told What’s The Jam.
“This is the second earthquake we have had since being on holiday.
“The first one was not as bad, but this morning was scary.
“We are staying in the village of Gouves, so only 36 miles from where it hit.”
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“We were asleep when the earthquake woke us all up.
“My son was crying, he was so scared.
“I jumped out of bed and told the kids to get their shoes on and head to high ground right away.
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“We were all shaking, I have never been so frightened for my kids. They came first, so we will return home today.
“This has happened twice since we’ve been on holiday, and it’s not so relaxing anymore, so we just want to get home.”
She added that her eldest son has additional needs and did not understand what was going on.
Yesterday’s 6.1-magnitude earthquake led to a tsunami warning being issued.
Tremors were felt as far away as Egypt, Turkey, and Israel.
Tourists and residents were urged to stay away from coastal areas.
Nicole said she has visited Crete many times over the years, but “never experienced” anything like the two quakes that hit during her latest stay.
She admitted that it has “put me off ever coming back”.
She shared her experiences in two videos on her TikTok channel.
One friend said, “I’m so glad you’ve made the right decision.”
Megan added, “I felt it in Bodrum in Turkey!”
Lulu remarked: “We literally arrived the day of the first one and left at 11.30pm last night so can’t believe it. So unbelievable.”
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