Five people were confirmed dead in southwest China's Sichuan Province and Chongqing municipality on Monday afternoon when an earthquake toppled two school buildings and a water tower.

Four pupils died in Chongqing's outer Liangping County when the earthquake toppled Wenhua Township Primary School. At least 100 children were injured, the local government said.

More than 10 students were injured, two of whom seriously, at the Central Primary School of Lirang Township in Liangping County.

The neighboring Sichuan Province reported one death from a water tower collapse in Santai County, in the city of Mianyang, said Deng Changwen, a spokesman for the provincial seismological bureau.

(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2008)