A powerful earthquake hit the western Sichuan province of China on Saturday killing at least five people and causing over 50 injuries, according to the Associated Press.

China's seismological agency says the earthquake had a 6.3 magnitude and hit just 20 miles outside of Kangding County. The town of Kangding is surrounded by mountains and densely populated with around 100,000 people.

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According to reports, the earthquake caused 30 homes to collapse and more than 2,600 properties to receive serious damage.

Most of the injuries were suffered from schoolchildren. The Xinhua News Agency reports a total of 42 children have been injured during the earthquake. The injuries were reportedly sustained when a stampede of people occurred at a primary school in Tagong, Xinhua says.

Chinese government officials announced Sunday that they'll be pledging 50 million yuan (just over $8 million) to China's Sichuan Province in efforts to help and provide relief for anyone that's been affected.

The money will be used to relocate the families whose homes have collapsed and are no longer habitable, and will provide care and life assistance for those affected. In addition, the money will also be used to repair damages to residences and other affected properties.

Earthquakes frequently hit Western China, and the area of Kangding already has measures in place that require all new constructed buildings to be able to withstand earthquakes with an 8 magnitude. However, the town still holds a number of poorly constructed buildings that are susceptible to earthquake damage.

The most recent devastating natural disaster to hit Sichuan was in 2008 when the western province was struck by an earthquake of a 7.9 magnitude and killed nearly 90,000 people. 

Tags6.3 Magnitude earthquake, Western China, natural disaster, Sichuan Province, Kangding