Melbourne quake: a terrifying moment for Bruneians

A 5.3 magnitude earthquake hit Melbourne and parts of Victoria yesterday, with Bruneian youths there describing it as "a terrifying experience".

According to The Age online, one of Victoria's dailies, the windows rattled and floors rocked as the tremor hit around 6.55pm (8.55pm Melbourne time).

The report said the tremor, Victoria's biggest earthquake in a century, lasted for 30 to 40 seconds.

Social networking site Facebook was abuzz with status updates by Bruneian students about the shocking tremors.

While contacted by The Brunei Times, Safarul Izwan Hj Razali, 24, from Kuala Belait, said it was quite the experience, "because we can really feel the floor shaking and the tremors could be felt all over Victoria."

Safarul, who graduated from Monash University and is currently working in Melbourne, said he was watching a programme on his laptop when the quake struck.

"Upon realising what was happening, I quickly got my phone and wallet and immediately left the premises onto stable and open ground. It was both exciting (because it was my first earthquake) and at the same time terrifying," he told The Brunei Times over Facebook. He said essentially, it was a minor rattle and felt there was no apparent major cause for concern, as there was no news reports of any damage.

Brunei permanent resident Airell Lam, who recently graduated from an Australian university and is currently working there, said he was at a friend's house watching television when it happened. "The furniture started shaking and we thought it was one of us shaking our legs. Then we realised no one was doing it, and the apartment was still shaking," the 22-year-old said.

Lam described the experience as exciting, but contemplated whether it was just the beginning of a bigger earthquake.Another Bruneian student, who agreed to be interviewed anonymously, said he was on his laptop when he suddenly felt his table shake. "I did not think it was really anything until I saw the side table shake as well. I would say it lasted a few seconds," he said. At press time, there were no reports of any casualties or injuries from the quake. The Brunei Times