Baghdad - An earthquake that measured 5.13 on the Richter scale hit Iraq's southern provinces of Basra and Maysan during the early hours of Thursday, causing no damage or casualties, according to news reports.

The epicenter of the earthquake was in the northeast of Amarah city in Maysan province. It occurred at 01.15 am (0415 GMT), the Voices of Iraq news agency reported, quoting an official from the earthquake monitoring department in Basra.

The tremor was followed by a number of aftershocks, the official said.

The last earthquake that hit Iraq was two years ago. It also occurred in the south of the country in Ziqar province, located some 380 kilometres south of Baghdad. (dpa)