A sudden earthquake struck southern China early Monday, causing casualties, structural damage, and the evacuation of thousands of residents.
The 5.2-magnitude tremor hit the Guangxi region, with the city of Liuzhou among the worst affected areas. Authorities confirmed that two people lost their lives, while one individual remains unaccounted for. Four others were hospitalized, though their injuries were not considered critical.
Emergency teams were deployed as more than 7,000 residents were moved to safety. Reports also indicated that at least 13 buildings collapsed during the incident.
Officials warned of disruptions to transportation, particularly rail services, as inspections were carried out to ensure infrastructure safety.
Despite the damage, essential services such as electricity, communication networks, water supply, and gas systems were largely unaffected.
Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities continue to assess the full impact of the earthquake and search for anyone still missing.
