Midnight Earthquake in China Causes Panic, Hundreds Join Rescue Mission

A powerful 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck the southern Chinese city of Liuzhou in the early hours of Monday, causing widespread destruction and panic among residents. The earthquake hit at around 12:21 a.m. local time and was centered in the Liunan district. According to the US Geological Survey and the China Earthquake Agency, the quake occurred at a shallow depth of nearly 8 kilometers, which experts say increased the intensity of destruction on the surface. The tremors led to the collapse of 13 buildings, leaving many people trapped under the debris. Rescue operations began immediately despite darkness and difficult conditions. Emergency teams, firefighters, police personnel, and medical staff rushed to the affected areas to search for survivors and provide assistance to injured residents. Several videos shared on social media showed damaged buildings, frightened residents running into the streets, and rescue workers searching through rubble. Authorities confirmed that at least two people lost their lives in the disaster, while one person remains missing. Four injured individuals were taken to hospitals for treatment, though officials stated that none of them are in critical condition. More than 7,000 residents were evacuated from dangerous zones as a precaution against possible aftershocks. By around 2 a.m., over 315 emergency responders and 51 rescue vehicles had been deployed to the earthquake-hit region. Local authorities are continuing search and rescue efforts while also assessing the full scale of damage. Officials have instructed teams to gather accurate information on casualties, collapsed structures, and affected families as quickly as possible. Despite the strong earthquake, essential services such as electricity, water supply, gas, communication networks, and road traffic reportedly remained functional in most parts of the city. However, railway authorities launched urgent safety inspections on rail tracks and transport infrastructure to prevent accidents. Officials warned that train services could face delays and disruptions until inspections are completed. Liuzhou, home to nearly four million people, experienced significant fear and chaos as residents rushed outdoors during the midnight tremors. Experts are also monitoring the region for possible aftershocks in the coming days while rescue teams continue operations to locate anyone still trapped beneath collapsed buildings.