An earthquake struck eastern Indonesian on Wednesday, causing some panic in parts of Timor island, although there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage, a meteorology agency official and a witness said.

The earthquake was measured at 6.0 on the Richter scale and its epicentre was on land about 100 km (62 miles) northeast of Kupang in East Nusa Tenggara province, said Jajat Jatmika, an official at Indonesia's meteorology agency.

The depth was put at a relatively shallow 10 km, although no tsunami warning was issued.

In East Timor's capital of Dili, which is also on Timor island, people rushed out of buildings after the quake was felt strongly, a Reuters reporter said.