Maren, Kaya and five other Norwegians are in Mexico and are starting the new year with warm and sunny days.
The traveling party mostly stays in Playa del Carmen on the Yucatán Peninsula, and travels from there to places they want to visit.
On Monday, all seven were gathered in the city of Tulum after being split up. The gang therefore decided to have a late dinner in a nicer place.
But suddenly the holiday trip took a turn. Because when they were waiting to order food, shots were fired inside the restaurant.
– It felt like a very safe restaurant, and there was a lot going on with fireworks and entertainment. So the first shot we didn’t understand what it was, says Maren to TV 2.
The gang therefore thought that it was probably just a rocket or something similar.
– Then we suddenly heard another shot and full panic broke out. People started to run out, while several lay down under the table.
At the request of Maren and Kaya, TV 2 has chosen to only use the girls’ first names.
HOLIDAY: The Norwegian travel agency wants to inform other tourists who are considering a holiday to Tulum in Mexico. From left: Catharina, Kristin and Maren. Photo: Private
Full panic broke out
Similar to what Maren saw around her, the Norwegian tour group also reacted differently to what happened.
Some of them ran outside or to the kitchen, while others hid under the furniture in the restaurant.
– You really only do what the closest person next to you does. So we have slightly different experiences about the situation we found ourselves in.
Maren says she stayed under the table for a while before the waiters came out and said it was safe.
– The three of us who were there sat down again, but then there was more shooting. We lay down again for a while, before the waiters escorted us to a back room until it was safe and the police arrived.
Was completely at a loss
Kaya has a different experience of what happened inside the restaurant.
– Me, my girlfriend and a friend ended up running into the back room. When we got there, there were lots of people on the floor.
She says they reacted by making themselves smaller, but because there were many people in the room, there was pushing.
– I was pushed and ended up on top of a girl. There was also a wine bottle that went on the floor and was broken.
When Kaya got back on her feet after the fall, she had no shoes. Still, she ran on to the kitchen and out a back door.
– Everyone was at a loss as to what to do. So me and my boyfriend ended up running to a hotel next door.
At the hotel, she and her boyfriend ended up hiding together with a family with children from the Netherlands.
She says the way home felt very long and that the smallest sound could be felt on her body.
– The way home felt very long, and all sounds felt scary. You’re in a bit of a state of shock and don’t think something like this will happen, but then suddenly you’re in the middle of it.
– Not a pleasant feeling
The girls say they felt fear and dread. All they wanted was to get home and away from the scene.
– You automatically think when you hear a shot at close range that it’s all over, but then a survival instinct kicks in. It was such a shock, says Maren.
Afterwards, the traveling party did not have anyone to talk to about the incident – neither at the hotel nor at the restaurant.
HOLIDAY PARADISE: Tulum is one of Mexico’s best-preserved pre-Columbian cities and is known, among other things, for its beautiful beaches. Photo: Daniel Slim / AFP / NTB
– We have learned that it is not abnormal for this to happen in the streets, but that it does not usually happen in restaurants, as we experienced, says Kaya, and adds:
– Regardless of whether it happens in a restaurant or out in the streets, I think this is something tourists should know about before they travel here.
On Wednesday, the gang traveled back to Playa del Carmen, something all seven were really looking forward to.
– Tulum is indeed a holiday paradise and very pretty, but it feels unsafe. It is not something pleasant to feel.
