DUSHANBE, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) — An earthquake in the southern mountainous region of Tajikistan on Saturday has destroyed at least 1,050 houses, but no human deaths were reported, said local officials.

Preliminary damage is estimate at about 1.5 million U.S. dollars, the deputy head of the district, Azimjon Shamsiddinov, told the Interfax News Agency.

He said people who lost their shelters in the quake have been temporarily settled in their relatives’ homes or public shelters such as schools and hospitals. Local authorities are making efforts to provide them with life necessities.

The epicenter of the quake was in Vanj district and the magnitude was 5.5 on the Richter scale, according to Tajikistan’s seismic monitor center.

Earthquakes are relatively common in Tajikistan.

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