YANGON, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- No damages or casualties have been reported in a moderate earthquake of 6.0 magnitude which struck Myanmar's Bago region in the earlier hours on Friday, said a release of the Ministry of Electricity and Energy.

The earthquake occurred at 00:56 a.m. local time with its epicenter being at 27.3 km west-southwest of Phyu city in Bago region.

There were three shallow aftershocks occurring within a few minutes, a statement from the Myanmar Earthquake Committee said.

No casualties or major damage to houses were reported, U Soe Aung, deputy minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement told Xinhua.

Earthquake awareness activities for the public are underway by the ministry.

According to reports, about 70 earthquakes jolted the country in 2017.