Two Dead After Strong Earthquake Hits China’s Guangxi Region

A powerful earthquake that struck China’s southwestern Guangxi region shortly after midnight on Monday has left at least two people dead, damaged dozens of structures and forced thousands of residents to flee their homes as emergency crews continued rescue operations across the affected areas.

The 5.2-magnitude earthquake hit at 12:21 am local time near Taiyangchun in Liuzhou city, with the epicentre located at a shallow depth of around eight kilometres, making the tremors particularly intense across nearby districts.

Authorities confirmed that two people were killed in the quake, while one person remains missing. Four others sustained injuries and were admitted to hospital, though officials said their conditions are not life-threatening.

The earthquake caused extensive damage in parts of Liuzhou, where at least 13 buildings collapsed following the tremor. Several homes were reduced to rubble, leaving debris scattered across roads and residential areas. Local authorities said more than 7,000 residents had been evacuated to safer locations as a precaution against aftershocks and further structural failures.

Night-time earthquake triggered panic across multiple cities

The quake was felt well beyond Liuzhou, with residents in Guilin, Nanning, Wuzhou, Hechi and Laibin also reporting strong shaking during the early hours of the morning.

Because the earthquake struck while most people were asleep, panic spread quickly across neighbourhoods as residents rushed outdoors in darkness. In several locations, roadside self-built houses collapsed, briefly trapping occupants inside before rescue teams reached the scene.

Emergency response units, including firefighters, police and disaster rescue personnel, were deployed immediately after the earthquake. Guangxi’s regional disaster management headquarters activated a Level-3 emergency response as search and rescue efforts intensified across affected communities.

Infrastructure inspections underway

Railway authorities have begun inspections of tracks, bridges and related infrastructure amid concerns over possible transport disruptions following the quake.

Officials said electricity, telecommunications, water supply, gas services and major road transport systems were continuing to operate normally despite the damage in several residential areas. Authorities are also monitoring the region for potential aftershocks while continuing assessments of weakened buildings and public infrastructure.