Beijing, Dec 2 (IANS) Over 1,450 people were evacuated Friday after a 5.2 Richter magnitude earthquake jolted the Xinjiang Uygur region of China and damaged over 2,000 houses, officials said. There were, however, no casualties.

The quake jolted the northwest Xinjiang region Thursday night, Xinhua reported citing the ministry of civil affairs.

The quake was centred in Shache county of Kashi prefecture, 1,666 km from Xinjiang capital Urumqi.

At least 290 houses collapsed while over 1,960 were partially damaged in the quake.

Most of the affected people were residents of Shache, Zepu and Yuepuhu counties.