Powerful Earthquake in Southern China Kills 2, Thousands Evacuated
A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck China’s Guangxi province, killing two people and forcing the evacuation of nearly 7,000 residents. Rescue operations have now been completed.
Prasanth Subramani
A powerful earthquake struck southern China early on Monday, May 18, resulting in the deaths of two people and triggering large-scale evacuation and rescue operations.
The earthquake occurred in Guangxi province in southern China and measured 5.2 on the Richter scale. The strong tremors shook homes, buildings, and other infrastructure across the affected region.
According to reports, around 13 buildings were damaged or collapsed due to the earthquake. The tremors also triggered landslides in several areas, causing major disruptions and blocking multiple roads.
Chinese authorities confirmed that two people lost their lives in the disaster. As a precautionary measure, nearly 7,000 residents from Liuzhou city were evacuated from their homes and moved to safer locations.
Rescue officials later announced that a 91-year-old elderly man, believed to be the last missing person trapped under the debris, was safely rescued. Authorities stated that all rescue operations conducted since early morning have now been successfully completed.
Southern provinces of China are considered highly vulnerable to earthquakes. In one of the country’s deadliest disasters, the 7.9 magnitude Sichuan earthquake in 2008 claimed more than 87,000 lives.
