5.2 magnitude earthquake in Southern China: at least 2 dead, over 7,000 evacuated and homes destroyed

A violent earthquake of magnitude 5.2 hit southern China during the night, causing at least two deaths, several injuries and thousands of people evacuated. The epicenter was located in the Taiyangcun area, about 16 kilometers from the center of the city of Liuzhou, in the Guangxi autonomous region, north of Hong Kong. According to reports from Chinese authorities and state media, the earthquake occurred at 00:21 local time at a very shallow depth of just eight kilometers. A characteristic that amplified the effects of the shock, felt strongly in numerous urban and rural areas of the province.

The identified victims were a married couple aged 63 and 53. Rescue operations are still underway because at least one person is missing. Four confirmed injuries, none of which are believed to be life-threatening. Among the most widespread images in the last few hours are those of a 91-year-old man rescued by rescuers after the collapse of his house.

Collapses, evacuations and checks on infrastructure

The earthquake caused the collapse of 13 buildings, forcing authorities to begin an immediate mass evacuation. Over 7 thousand residents have been moved to areas considered safe for fear of new replicas and further structural failures. Emergency teams are working tirelessly in the rubble, while extensive checks are underway on roads, bridges and railway infrastructure in the area.

At the moment, according to local authorities, the electricity networks and gas and water pipes continue to function regularly, thus avoiding a worsening of the situation. The Guangxi region is not considered among the most seismic areas of China, but it remains exposed to the tectonic pressures that affect much of the Asian continent. Experts explain that the area is influenced both by the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates, and by the tensions coming from the subduction of the Philippine Sea plate.

A region less famous for earthquakes but not immune to the risk

Despite its reputation as a relatively stable area compared to provinces such as Sichuan or Tibet, Guangxi retains a long history of seismic events. The most devastating dates back to 1936, when the Lingshan earthquake reached an estimated magnitude of 6.75, causing dozens of victims and destroying thousands of homes. The tremor recorded in the last few hours falls within a framework of moderate seismicity but is still capable of causing significant damage, especially in villages and rural areas where many buildings are more vulnerable.

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