By Our Correspondent

National News – A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck Liuzhou city in China’s Guangxi region early Monday, killing a couple, injuring residents, and forcing authorities to evacuate more than 7,000 people from affected communities.

The deadly tremor occurred at about 12:21 a.m., according to Chinese state media.

Officials confirmed that the victims were a 63-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman whose home reportedly collapsed during the earthquake.

Emergency responders also continued searching for one missing person as rescue operations intensified across the disaster zone.

Authorities said at least 13 buildings collapsed after the earthquake shook parts of southern China, leaving several families displaced.

Videos shared by state broadcaster CCTV showed frightened residents rushing out of high-rise buildings while rescue workers searched through piles of rubble for survivors.

Search and rescue teams, assisted by trained dogs and heavy-duty earthmoving equipment, worked through the night to clear debris and locate trapped victims.

Emergency officials also deployed safety teams to monitor damaged structures and prevent further casualties.

The earthquake triggered panic across Liuzhou and nearby communities, with many residents spending the night outdoors for safety.

Chinese authorities have yet to announce the full extent of property damage, but local officials warned that aftershocks could still occur.

China frequently experiences earthquakes due to its location along active seismic zones.

In January, a powerful earthquake in Tibet killed more than 120 people and destroyed thousands of homes, raising fresh concerns about disaster preparedness in vulnerable regions.

Experts say rapid emergency response and timely evacuations helped reduce the potential death toll from Monday’s earthquake.

Rescue operations and structural assessments are expected to continue as authorities provide temporary shelter and support for displaced residents.