A journalist from The Citizen in Gloucester was among the thousands of British tourists caught up in the massive earthquake that hit south east Asia in the early hours of Boxing Day, claiming many thousands of lives.

Features editor Victoria Temple, (32), had been enjoying the last day of a two-week holiday in Sri Lanka with her partner, guitarist Andy Dunn, when disaster struck.

Now safely back home, the couple had been staying at a hotel around 50 metres from the sea, and had been in their room when they heard the guest house owner shouting at them to get out.

After running down the stairs to see what was happening they witnessed a scene of destruction after the first wave had struck.

To read Victoria’s account of what she saw, click here.

The Citizen has now launched

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