A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck southern China’s Guangxi region early Monday morning, leaving two people dead, several injured, and thousands displaced from their homes. The earthquake caused severe destruction in parts of Liuzhou city, where rescue teams continued emergency operations throughout the day.
According to Chinese state media, the quake occurred at around 12:21am local time. Authorities confirmed that a 63-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman lost their lives after buildings collapsed during the tremor. Rescue officials also reported that one person remained missing as search operations continued in the affected areas.
The powerful quake damaged homes, roads, and public infrastructure. Reports revealed that at least 13 buildings collapsed, forcing emergency authorities to evacuate more than 7,000 residents for safety reasons. Videos shared by state broadcaster CCTV showed frightened residents rushing out of apartment buildings moments after the earthquake struck.
Emergency response teams quickly arrived at the scene with heavy machinery, rescue dogs, and medical staff. Workers were seen removing debris and searching through the wreckage in hopes of finding survivors trapped beneath collapsed structures. Authorities also established temporary shelters for displaced families.
China regularly experiences earthquakes due to its active seismic zones, especially in mountainous and remote regions. In recent years, several deadly earthquakes have hit different parts of the country, causing significant loss of life and widespread destruction. Earlier this year, a devastating earthquake in Tibet reportedly killed more than 126 people and damaged thousands of buildings.
Local officials in Guangxi said rescue and recovery operations would continue until all missing individuals were accounted for. Authorities are also assessing structural damage to nearby buildings to prevent further casualties.
The disaster once again highlights the ongoing threat of natural disasters in the region and the importance of emergency preparedness in earthquake-prone areas.
