China: A powerful earthquake struck southwestern China early Monday, leaving at least two people dead and forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes as emergency crews rushed to damaged areas.
The 5.2-magnitude tremor hit parts of Guangxi province, with Liuzhou among the worst-affected cities, prompting large-scale evacuations and rescue efforts through the morning.
According to state media reports, more than 7,000 residents were moved to safer locations after the quake triggered panic and caused structural damage across several neighbourhoods.
Authorities confirmed two fatalities, while one person remains missing as rescue workers continue search operations in affected zones.
Four others were taken to hospitals for treatment, though officials said their injuries were not considered critical.
The shaking caused at least 13 buildings to collapse, raising concerns about hidden survivors trapped under debris.
Emergency response teams were deployed immediately, with local officials coordinating rescue and relief measures as aftershocks remained a possibility.
Railway authorities temporarily flagged transportation concerns and launched inspections of key rail corridors to assess possible damage to tracks and related infrastructure.
Despite the structural impact, officials said essential services such as electricity, mobile communication, water supply and gas distribution remained largely stable.
Traffic movement in most parts of the affected region was also reported to be functioning normally, helping emergency teams reach impacted locations without major delays.
Residents described scenes of fear as people rushed outdoors after feeling intense shaking in the early hours.
Many spent hours gathered in open spaces as authorities checked residential buildings for safety risks.
China’s disaster management agencies are continuing to assess the scale of destruction while structural engineers inspect weakened buildings to prevent further accidents.
The cause of the quake remains under geological review, though southwestern China is considered one of the country’s more seismically active regions due to its complex fault systems.
Rescue teams are expected to continue operations until all missing persons are accounted for and the full extent of the damage is confirmed.
