A SENIOR Territory bureaucrat swept up in the recent riots in East Timor said villagers fled Dili, fearing more rioting in coming days.

NT Government representative to Timor Leste Michael Gallagher said that East Timorese people had fled the city fearing a resurgence of violence involving disgruntled former soldiers.

"They were fleeing for their lives," he said.

"People were still leaving and most of them had their worldly possessions."

Before flying back to Darwin yesterday, Mr Gallagher said he witnessed first-hand the devastation in the wake of the April 28 riot.

"At the end of each day it was very heartbreaking to see the destruction of their houses," he said.

"The worst part was the destruction of the houses over in the western area. They are usually the poorest.

"One area is just a mass of burnt timber and roofing iron, buckled and twisted.

"It would appear Dili had just settled down and things were going quite well.

"Now the people are suffering yet again," Mr Gallagher said.