BEIJING - A 5.3-magnitude earthquake, at a depth of only 5 km, hit the Bayingol Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Xinjiang at 5:18 a.m. Beijing Time on Thursday, said the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

The epicenter was monitored at 42.19 degrees north latitude and 84.12 degrees east longitude, according to the CENC.

No casualties have been reported yet.

Xinjiang Earthquake Administration has sent a team of seven people, headed by a deputy chief, to Luntai County, the epicenter.

Authorities in Luntai would continue gathering information about casualties and property loss, a local official said.