6.3 magnitude earthquake hits Central Asian Kyrgyzstan

A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan today, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties after the earthquake hit at a depth of 18 kilometres.

The epicentre was in a remote region near the border with China and Tajikistan some 390 kilometres south of the capital Bishkek.

Earthquakes happen frequently in the mountainous regions of ex-Soviet Central Asia.