Adam Sleigh, from Blackpool, had been celebrating his engagement to his fiancée Michelle when a ‘very powerful’ earthquake hit the Palmera Beach Hotel in Hersonissos, Crete
A British couple celebrating their engagement in Crete were left “frightened” as a “very powerful” 6.0 magnitude earthquake shook their hotel room “violently.” Adam Sleigh, 34, from Blackpool, was staying at the Palmera Beach Hotel in Hersonissos with his fiancée Michelle when they heard a huge “bang” at around 2am this morning.
The couple nearly “rolled out of bed” following a second tremor, as more tremors were felt as far as away as Israel, Syria and Egypt. Authorities issued a tsunami alert in the area after the earthquake struck off the coast of Greek island Crete. “Shocked” guests quickly came out of their hotel rooms to see what had happened.
READ MORE: Greece earthquake LIVE: Tsunami alert as Crete ‘shakes’ and Brits run for hills
Adam told The Mirror: “At around 2am there was a bang which shook buildings, and shook our hotel room violently for a couple of minutes. We were in bed and nearly rolled out when a second tremor happened.
“The bigger tremor shook the room, as people were coming out their rooms in shock. It lasted around five minutes and although the feeling was very powerful, I was very surprised there was no damage… It was frightening, I have never experienced an earthquake before and with it being early morning, most people were in bed.”
There have been no reported injuries or fatalities so far, but tourists were warned to stay away from coastal areas in the popular holiday spot. Greece’s Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection issued a precautionary tsunami warning for the area, as people on the island were being urged to move to higher ground.
“A magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred 48km SE of Kasos. Risk of possible Tsunami in your area,” the Ministry said. The magnitude was later updated to 6.0. It added: “Move away from the coast immediately. Follow the instructions of Local Authorities.”
Samaria Gorge, one of Crete’s most popular hiking routes, is temporarily closed as authorities check for any damage done to the route.
“The Natural Environment and Climate Change Organisation announces that due to the earthquake that occurred today south of Kasos, the gorge will remain closed to visitors in order to check the route for possible rockfalls,” authorities said. “A further announcement will be made late this afternoon.”
Adam, who had proposed to his partner last Thursday, said they were warned by Greek authorities of a possible tsunami – but added that it appears to have been “downplayed.”
He added: “We were warned by local authorities a tsunami would hit, which I think this has now been downplayed. However, we have noticed the waves being rougher than normal, but I think from what our hotel is saying its business as normal and flights are still all on time. There isn’t believed to be an impending danger for a tsunami or landslides.”