A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck the Liuzhou in the early hours of Monday, shaking the Liunan District in China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Authorities confirmed that the quake caused fatalities, structural damage, and widespread disruption across the region.
Officials reported that two people, a married couple aged 63 and 53, lost their lives in the disaster. One additional person remains unaccounted for as search efforts continue in the affected areas.
The tremor led to the collapse of around 13 buildings within the quake zone, while several others were damaged. Some residents sustained injuries, and at least four people were transferred to hospital facilities for medical care.
In response to the disaster, approximately 7,000 residents were evacuated from vulnerable areas. Essential public utilities, including electricity, water supply, communication networks, and gas services, are still functioning despite the impact. However, transport systems have been significantly affected, with railway authorities suspending and delaying inspections across multiple routes.
According to the Guangxi Earthquake Administration, the earthquake occurred at 12:21 am with a shallow depth of about 8 kilometres. The epicentre was located in Taiyangcun town, roughly 16 kilometres from downtown Liuzhou. Officials noted that the shallow depth contributed to the intensity of the ground shaking.
The earthquake was felt across several surrounding cities, including Guigang, Wuzhou, Hechi, and Nanning, among others.
Chinese authorities have activated a multi-agency emergency response, including a Level IV national disaster alert, as rescue and assessment operations continue in the affected region.
Liuzhou is situated in an area characterized by steep limestone formations and river valleys, which experts say can amplify seismic impacts. Geologists warn that the region’s terrain, combined with the shallow nature of the quake, may have worsened localized damage due to unstable rock structures. Authorities also cautioned that moderate aftershocks remain possible in the aftermath of such shallow seismic events.
