An earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale hit the Kirgiz autonomous prefecture of Kizilsu in the westernmost part of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Saturday. There are no immediate report of any casualties.

According to the Regional Seismological Bureau, the epicentre of the quake, which occurred at 0505 IST, was at the Halajun township, 126 km northeast of the county town of Artux.

The local government have sent officials to the quake-hit areas for investigation, Xinhua news agency reported from
Urumqi, the regional capital.