A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck China’s southern Guangxi region early Monday, killing two people, damaging buildings, and triggering mass evacuations, state media reported.
🇨🇳 A 5.2 earthquake hits Liuzhou, China, and multiple buildings collapsed.
Search and rescue teams are racing to find missing people right now.
Source: @AZ_Intel_ pic.twitter.com/RCkgfjeIJZ
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 17, 2026
The quake hit Liuzhou city at 12:21am local time, according to Xinhua news agency. Authorities said at least 13 buildings collapsed or were severely damaged as the tremor shook the area, forcing residents to run into streets overnight.
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State broadcaster CCTV identified the deceased as a married couple, a 63-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman. One person remained missing as of Monday morning, while search and rescue operations continued.
Emergency teams, supported by heavy machinery and rescue dogs, were deployed to clear debris and locate survivors. Images from state media showed damaged homes, rubble-strewn streets, and firefighters working through collapsed structures.
Authorities evacuated more than 7,000 residents from vulnerable areas as a precaution, relocating them to temporary shelters and safe zones. Officials also launched damage assessments and warned of possible aftershocks in the region.
The Guangxi regional emergency management department coordinated response efforts, while transportation and utility services were inspected for potential disruption. Hospitals in nearby cities were placed on alert to treat any injured residents.
Earthquakes are relatively common in China, particularly in southwestern regions where tectonic activity is higher. Authorities urged residents to remain alert as rescue operations continue and further assessments are carried out.
Disaster response authorities across China have intensified monitoring following the quake, with early warning systems activated in surrounding provinces. The incident comes months after a deadly earthquake in the Tibet region that killed more than 100 people and caused widespread structural damage, highlighting continued vulnerability in seismically active zones.
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Officials said rapid response teams remain on standby as aftershock risks persist, and residents have been advised to avoid damaged buildings until safety inspections are completed. No further details were released immediately.