While the votes were counted the mood in the streets grew uglier by the minute.

Armed pro-Jakarta militias, often brandishing home-made weapons, set up roadblocks and started attacking people they believed had voted for independence.

More than 600 people tried to escape the violence by gathering at the Carnossian Convent in the regional capital, Dili.

Others decided to get out of East Timor altogether.

For some it was too late. Their relatives could only mourn their killings.

The Indonesian police has been accused of not doing enough to prevent the breakdown of law and order. In many cases they only watch as mobs rampage and houses burn.

International journalists were attacked as well - many have now left East Timor.