At least two people have been confirmed dead after a powerful earthquake struck China’s southwestern Guangxi region early Monday, triggering building collapses, mass evacuations and emergency rescue operations across affected communities.
Chinese authorities said more than 7,000 residents in Liuzhou city were evacuated following the magnitude 5.2 earthquake, which also left one person missing and caused widespread panic among residents.
State broadcaster CCTV and state news agency Xinhua reported that 13 buildings collapsed after the quake struck in the early hours of Monday, while four injured persons were taken to hospital for treatment.
“There were two confirmed deaths with one still missing, and four people were sent to the hospital, although none of them had life-threatening injuries,” state media reported.
Emergency rescue teams have since been deployed to the affected areas as authorities continue search and rescue operations amid fears of possible aftershocks and additional structural damage.
Railway authorities also warned of transportation disruptions while safety inspections were being carried out on rail infrastructure in the affected region.
“Transportation disruptions were also flagged by railway authorities as they inspected the integrity of rail line infrastructure,” CCTV reported.
Despite the destruction caused by the earthquake, Chinese authorities said communication networks, electricity supply, water systems, gas distribution and traffic operations in the affected areas were largely functioning normally.
“Communication and power lines, water and gas supply, and traffic in the affected area were operating normally,” state media added.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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