2 Dead, 1 Missing After 5.2-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes South China's Liuzhou

Two people have been confirmed dead and one other remains missing following a 5.2-magnitude earthquake that struck Liuzhou City in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region early today, local earthquake relief headquarters said.

The fatalities were identified as a 63-year-old man surnamed Lan and his 53-year-old wife, according to local authorities. Search and rescue operations are ongoing for the missing person.

The earthquake struck at 12:21am, with its epicenter located in Taiyang Town, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center. The quake has caused seven roadside, self-built houses in the town to collapse and left several others cracked.

"It came down with a loud rumble!" a local villager surnamed Huang told China News Service. She said she was asleep when her mother shouted to wake her, prompting her to flee the house immediately. While her family escaped unharmed, she saw an entire row of houses in front of her had collapsed, with many neighbors also rushing outdoors.

Following the tremor, large numbers of residents in Liuzhou city headed to open spaces for safety. Near the city's civic square, many set up tents to take shelter, with surrounding roads lined with parked cars.

Authorities in Liuzhou have activated a Level III emergency response for earthquakes. Relevant departments are fully engaged in disaster relief, damage assessment, and on-site rescue operations.

As of 4am today, the earthquake had destroyed 13 buildings, sent four people to hospital, none in life-threatening conditions, and displaced over 7,000 residents. Communication networks, electricity, water and gas supplies, as well as road traffic in the affected area, remain operational.