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In the early hours of Monday, a significant earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale struck Liuzhou and its neighboring regions in southern China. The quake occurred at 12:21 a.m. local time, with its epicenter located in the Liunan District of Liuzhou, a city with a population exceeding four million in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Both the US Geological Survey and China's seismological agency confirmed the magnitude and noted the earthquake's shallow depth of approximately 5 miles (8 kilometers), which typically results in greater surface damage.

What Damage Was Caused?
Strong tremors were felt throughout Liuzhou and the surrounding areas, leading to the collapse of around a dozen buildings, trapping individuals inside and causing injuries. According to local reports cited by Xinhua news agency, three individuals are still unaccounted for, and four others have been hospitalized.

How Are Authorities Responding?
Emergency services, including fire and police units, were deployed to the affected area promptly. By 2 a.m., a total of 51 fire and rescue vehicles along with 315 personnel were actively engaged in rescue efforts. The Guangxi regional earthquake relief headquarters initiated a Level-III emergency response shortly after the quake, followed by the China Earthquake Administration. The State Council's earthquake relief office and the Ministry of Emergency Management escalated the response to a Level-IV emergency, sending a specialized team to assist on-site.

Is This Region Seismically Active?
Guangxi is not typically recognized as one of China's earthquake-prone areas, although seismic activity can occur along fault lines in southern China. More severe and frequent earthquakes are generally reported in western provinces like Sichuan and Yunnan. The occurrence of this earthquake in Liuzhou is unusual, making the structural damage even more significant. Rescue operations are ongoing, with officials working diligently to locate those who are still missing.