5.2-magnitude earthquake strikes Liuzhou in southern China: deaths, widespread destruction, and evacuation of thousands of residents

A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck the city of Liuzhou in Guangxi province in southern China, causing significant material and human losses in a number of areas.

According to Xinhua, the earthquake led to the collapse of at least 13 buildings, killing two people and injuring four others, in addition to causing varying degrees of structural damage in several urban areas.

Reports also indicated that precautionary evacuation operations were carried out involving about 7,000 people, amid concerns over possible aftershocks or additional risks resulting from the tremor.