HOLY….. a 6.7 (Richter’s scale) earthquake at Kos was the start of my holiday (with pictures)

Omg… I have never ever experienced something like this.  Let me tell you my story.   

My boyfriend and I were looking very forward to our vacation at Kos. After a long day of traveling we arrived at one of the best resorts on the Island. Although we were tired, we still wanted to enjoy our first night so we went out for drinks. It started out as such a lovely night. After a while it was time to go to bed. Two hours later we woke up in pure panic!   

I woke up in pure panic, not knowing what was happening or where I was (I was a bit disoriented because of the first night in a strange bed). My bed was shaking very hard, my nightstand was moving and the lamp on my nightstand fell off. Meanwhile it was pitch black because the power went out for a short period. I was screaming/gasping for air and I felt hands all over me because my boyfriend tried to grab me, so that I was safe. I thought he was making sounds too but it turned out that it was me, so weird. The mirror on the wall was shaking and it all just sounded like you were in the middle of a very big and loud thunderstorm. It only took a few seconds (I’ve read somewhere that it lasted about 10 seconds).   

After the first earthquake was done, my boyfriend jump out of bed to look outside on the balcony what was happening. At first we weren’t sure if it was an earthquake. We saw other people walking towards the see. Then it started to shake again. Only a little bit this time so we were standing in the door opening (which is not something they teach you in school or anything in the Netherlands.. I just watch a lot of TV).   

We decided to grab some clothes and go outside. I could already hear the sirens down the street. A this point it was about 1:35 at night. We found most people at the entrance of the hotel. A lot of people were wearing their bathrobes and some people (boys) only wore a boxer and were walking on bare feet. (Indicating that they ran outside immediately).   

By now we were waiting outside among a few 100 people. I must say that most people remained very calm. We got water and q blanket from the hotel staff (who handled it really really really well). I did smell and saw some vomit here and there but I did too almost faint and throw up (while we were still in our room.. luckily it did not happen because there is no time for such things when you actually have to leave the room).   

After three hours of waiting outside (and still feeling the ground shaking) my boyfriend and I were lucky enough to go back to our rooms (after they were checked). Our complex had no damage what so ever. However, other people in the main building were not so lucky and most of them spent the night outside on chairs that they got from the pool and the terrace.    

Although we were back in our room, we did not really sleep anymore. There were still some aftershocks (is that the right word?). And every time we felt it shaking again, we were sitting straight up in our beds. I did not let go of my boyfriend’s hand..   

The next day was so unreal. The whole day, people were outside, some of them had their luggage with them. Others were still wearing their bathrobes. While my boyfriend and I went to eat breakfast in the hotel. It was only after breakfast when we saw the real damage of the earthquake. We decided to rent bikes and go to Kos city.   

Luckily no one in our hotel was hurt. Unfortunately, 2 people died in Kos city because the roof of a bar collapsed. Furthermore, 130 people were injured.  

Below are some pictures we took the day after the earthquake. Out of respect for the other people I am not showing you how the entrance with all the people looked like. Sadly, some beautiful old buildings in Kos city were very damaged.   

@boosje