Earthquake Strikes Dili, Timor-Leste

At approximately 19.50hrs on Tuesday 20 July, an earthquake registering 4.6 on the Richter Scale hit 10 km (5 miles) WNW of DILI, Timor-Leste.  The quake caused people to flee from the entrance of Timor-Leste's largest hotel the "Hotel Timor" in central Dili.

Fearing the building may collapse hotel guests ran from the building like deer - some carrying children and others gripping their laptops as they sought safety outside the multistory building - on of the few large building in Dili.

The earthquake struck quickly and subsided quickly.  Many people checked theri relatives and friends by telephone -  "are you fine? Where are you? Do you feel any shaked? Please be stay out from big trees and maintain courage ok?" said Sica to her relative. 

Some people didn't feel the quake and surprised then asked, "what happened?".  Others responded "earth quick man. I'm so worried to be caught in this building."

According to the United States Geological Service the earthquake struck 10 km west north west of Dili at a depth of depth +/- 32.6 km (20.3 miles).