The 53 stranded Naples church members in Israel are back home in SWFL

The stranded 53 members of a Naples church who were in Israel as violence erupted are finally back home.

The group had been stuck in Tel Aviv since Monday.

Pastor Alan Brumback shared parts of the terrifying ordeal with WINK News Reporter Zach Oliveri and Michelle Alvarez.

“I was in my balcony and my hotel and the sirens goes off and it kind of sound like a tornado siren but then it’s like, ‘Oh no! That’s not a tornado and you’re boom, boom.’ It’s a surreal moment,” explained Brumback.

The group’s flight landed in Miami at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday after several setbacks.

“We waited to get through security. Then, we get to the gate, and we’re so excited,” added Brumback. “We’re like ‘Yay, we’re gonna get on,’ only to find out our plane is delayed two and a half hours. And then we’re ready to get on. Then they come over the loudspeaker. We have to delay it another 30 minutes.”

The returned by bus to the church in Naples.

• Related: Concerns rise for loved ones in Israel amid war

There are still many families waiting for their friends and loved ones to arrive back from Israel.

Stay tuned to WINKNews.com, WINK News App, streaming, and on air for any new developments on this story.