More than 6,000 people in southwest China's Sichuan Province have been affected by a 5.3-magnitude earthquake, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs on Monday.

The quake damaged more than 5,900 houses and affected 6,000 people in 18 townships in Sichuan's Ganzi Prefecture, as well as causing direct economic losses of more than 40 million yuan (about US$6.1 million) and the relocation of more than 2,300 people.

A 5.3-magnitude earthquake hit Luhuo County of Sichuan's Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture on Sunday.