(Adds witness in Dili, details)

JAKARTA, Dec 6 (Reuters) - A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck northwest of the East Timor capital Dili in the Banda Sea area at a depth of 408 km (253 miles), the U.S. Geological Survey said on Saturday.

The quake could be felt in Dili and caused some panic, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The Indonesian meteorology agency did not issue a tsunami warning.

The quake's epicentre was 163 km northwest of Dili and 315 km southeast of Baubau on Indonesia's Sulawesi island, according to the U.S. agency.

Indonesia and neighbouring countries such as East Timor suffer frequent earthquakes lying in an area of intense seismic activity where several tectonic plates meet. (Additional reporting by Tito Belo in Dili) (Reporting by Ed Davies; Editing by Janet Lawrence)

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