China: Magnitude-5.0 earthquake occurs in north South China Sea 03:20 Oct. 23

Event

A magnitude-5.0 offshore earthquake occurred in the northern South China Sea off the coast of eastern Guangdong Province at around 03:20 Oct. 23. The epicenter was about 54 km (32 miles)southeast of Huanggang. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and light-to-moderate shaking likely occurred near the epicenter, while weak-to-light shaking was probably felt across areas close to the epicenter. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are possible over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.