A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck Liuzhou City in southern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in the early hours of May 18, 2026, collapsing 13 buildings, killing two people, and forcing more than 7,000 residents to flee their homes — compounding an already devastating flood season battering the same province.
What Happened
The earthquake hit Liunan District of Liuzhou at 12:21 a.m. local time, with its epicenter near Taiyangcun town, approximately 16 kilometers from the city center, at a shallow depth of just 8 kilometers. The shallow depth amplified the shaking, bringing down 13 structures and trapping residents inside collapsed buildings.
Two people died in the rubble. In one of the rescue operation's most dramatic moments, a 91-year-old man was pulled alive from beneath the debris of his collapsed home after nearly 11 hours — the final survivor found before the search-and-rescue mission formally concluded. Four additional people were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
More than 7,000 residents were evacuated from at-risk neighborhoods as authorities assessed structural damage. Temporary shelter was established across 99 sites to house displaced families.
Emergency Response
China's State Council earthquake relief headquarters and Ministry of Emergency Management activated a Level-IV emergency response within hours, dispatching a specialized work team to coordinate the relief effort. A total of 51 fire and rescue vehicles and 315 personnel were deployed to the epicenter area, working alongside rescue dogs, life-detection equipment, drones, and heavy machinery to methodically search collapsed structures.
The national government released 10,000 pieces of relief supplies from central reserves — including tents, folding beds, blankets, and folding tables — to meet the immediate needs of displaced residents.
The on-site search-and-rescue operation concluded within 24 hours. Authorities have since shifted their focus to post-disaster reconstruction, structural safety inspections of buildings across the affected area, and long-term housing support for the thousands still unable to return home.
Compounding Crises
The earthquake struck at one of the worst possible times for Guangxi. The province is simultaneously battling severe flooding from weeks of torrential rainfall, which has killed dozens across southern and central China. In Guangxi alone, a separate flooding incident claimed 10 lives when a pickup truck carrying farm workers plunged into a flooded river. The dual disasters have stretched local emergency management resources and deepened the humanitarian burden on communities already struggling with widespread flood damage.
How to Help
International humanitarian organizations are supporting affected communities across the region. Red Cross — through the Chinese Red Cross and the broader IFRC network — is providing emergency relief supplies and shelter support to displaced families. Direct Relief is mobilizing medical supplies and essential medicines for communities affected by both the earthquake and ongoing flooding across Guangxi and neighboring provinces.
To support relief efforts and find responding organizations, visit the Guangxi Earthquake disaster page.
