URUMQI - No casualties have been reported after a 5.1-magnitude earthquake hit Makit County in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region on Wednesday morning.

Residents in the county seat, 71 km from the epicenter, said they felt strong jolts and buildings shook when the quake occurred at 5:52 am.

The epicenter, at a depth of 8 km, was measured at 39.3 degrees north latitude and 78.3 degrees east longitude, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

Four workers with the regional quake administration have gone to the epicenter area. The administration said no property damage has been reported after the quake.