Damage from latest Sichuan earthquake lighter: authority

The damage caused by Saturday's 6.3 magnitude earthquake in southwest China's Sichuan Province is relatively less than other quakes of a similar level.

It is believed that because the epicenter of the seismic activity was in a mountainous area, which is not densely populated, damage and human casualties were limited, the China Earthquake Administration said in a statement on Tuesday. It added that secondary disasters, such as landslides, were limited due to minor human activities.

Moreover, the major affected areas -- the counties of Kangding and Daofu -- have been struck by several serious quakes in history and many wood-structure buildings have been built to better withstand seismic activity, the statement explained.

The statement also lauded the province's proven effective capability to respond in the event of a natural disaster, with the authorities continuing to monitor developments after the quake.

Five people died and 65 others were injured as a result of Saturday's quake.

A massive 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck Sichuan's Wenchuan on May 12, 2008, resulting in more than 80,000 people reported either dead or missing. On April 20, 2013, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Lushan, killing at least 196.

Kangding lies on a geologically active belt and has reported nine earthquakes of 7 magnitude or above over the last 400 years.