5.3-magnitude quake hits Tajikistan

PARIS: A 5.3-magnitude quake jolted parts of Tajikistan on Thursday, the US Geological Survey reported, with no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The quake struck at 6:06 am (0106 GMT) at a depth of 16.3 kilometres and 22 kilometres north of the town of Murghob on the Tibetan plateau near China.

Tajikistan, a former Soviet republic in Central Asia, is mostly covered by mountains, with earthquakes occurring on a nearly monthly basis. (AFP)