A powerful earthquake struck a remote Tibetan region of southwestern China , reportedly killing at least five people and causing a stampede at a primary school . It injured more than 50 people and damaged around 25,000 houses , state media reported . The magnitude-5.9 quake struck late Saturday afternoon in a mountainous area of Sichuan province at a depth of around 15 kilometers ( 9 miles ) , according to the U.S. Geological Survey . Measuring the magnitude of earthquakes . The China Earthquake Networks Center said it had measured the earthquake 's strength at a higher magnitude of 6.3 . The quake left 54 people injured , six of them in critical condition and five others with severe injuries , China 's state-run news agency Xinhua reported Sunday , citing local authorities . The earthquake prompted students to flee from a primary school in the town of Tagong , near the epicenter , and 42 of them were injured in the ensuing rush , Xinhua said in an earlier report . Video footage from the region showed panicked people dashing out of buildings as the quake struck . The area has experienced scores of smaller aftershocks . Authorities say they have sent response teams and relief supplies to the affected region . Seismic activity frequently affects Sichuan . A devastating earthquake that hit the province in 2008 left more than 87,000 people dead or missing . What to know about earthquakes .
The death toll rises to five , the number of injured to 54 , state media report . The quake hit a mountainous area of Sichuan province . It causes stampede at a primary school that left students hurt . Authorities are still trying to assess the extent of the casualties and damage .