Holidaymakers fear worst after attacks

BRITISH holidaymakers lived a day of shock and anxiety in what was meant to be a relaxing holiday on Thursday.

With telephone systems jammed as terrorists struck London, British tourists on holiday in Cyprus were forced to rely on television and radio to find out news of what had happened as they tried to get in touch with loved ones.

Jamie Baraclough from West London is on holiday in Cyprus with his girlfriend. He told the Cyprus Mail he was stunned upon hearing the news of what happened.

“We were sitting at the pool bar at our hotel in Ayia Napa when we heard the news and we were obviously shocked but also a little worried because we didn’t the scale of the attack. We then had trouble getting through to our parents who live in London but we eventually did get through later on in the day and were relieved to find out that they were OK.”

A married couple from Warwickshire, also on holiday in Cyprus, said that they weren’t surprised but were still shocked to hear about the attacks in London.

“I suppose it’s like what a lot of politicians were saying that an attack against England was to be expected. Although it is tragic what has happened, I suppose that the police and ambulances responded really well.”

But have the attacks raised their concerns as they prepare to fly back to the UK.

“No, we are not scared about going back, but after seeing things like that, they are in your mind a little bit. The thing is you cannot go through life being not doing what you want or travelling just because there are terrorists. If you do cave in to them it’s like letting them win.”

University student Lee McGregor from Aldershot believes that Thursday’s attack will send British security into overdrive.

“I imagine that security will increase drastically by the time I get back to England next week. I believe these attacks might also increase paranoia in England and I really hope that I will be proved wrong.

“My friend works close to King’s Cross, but luckily he was fine because I spoke to him on Thursday evening. It really makes you think when something like this happens.”