A 5. 5 magnitude earthquake in central Bangladesh kills at least 6 people

A 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck central Bangladesh on Friday morning, resulting in the deaths of at least six people and injuring hundreds more, authorities and local media reported. The tremor was felt strongly in the capital city, Dhaka, where buildings swayed and residents rushed out into the streets in panic. The quake occurred at 10:38 a.m. local time, with its epicenter located in the Ghorashal area of Narsingdi district, roughly 25 kilometers east of Dhaka. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake had a preliminary depth of 10 kilometers. Reports from Dhaka-based DBC Television confirmed the fatalities included two children. Three people died from injuries sustained when a building’s roof and wall collapsed, while another three pedestrians were killed by falling railings in the city. Victims included three individuals who had been outside buying meat in Armanitola, a part of Dhaka’s old city. They were taken to the hospital but unfortunately did not survive. Local resident Mohammed Arif recounted the moment, explaining that he heard a loud noise immediately after the quake and saw bricks falling and people getting hurt. The Fire Service and Civil Defense swiftly responded by dispatching firefighters to various locations where buildings were reported to be tilting. In addition to search and rescue efforts, firefighters also worked to put out a fire in Dhaka’s Baridhara neighborhood that broke out following the quake. Local television showed chaotic scenes at medical centers, particularly at the state-run Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where patients and staff appeared overwhelmed. Some Dhaka University students were reportedly forced to jump from the upper floors of their dormitories in fear. In the aftermath, government officials ordered all medical facilities across Bangladesh to remain on high alert to handle the influx of injured people. While northern and southeastern Bangladesh are known for seismic activity due to the tectonic interaction between the Indian and Eurasian plates, central Bangladesh is typically less prone to earthquakes. This event has therefore caught many by surprise, highlighting vulnerabilities in the region’s preparedness for such natural disasters. Emergency services continue to assess the full extent of damage and casualties. Community members and authorities alike are grappling with the shock of the quake, as the country mourns those lost and works to support survivors. This earthquake underscores the need for improved structural safety standards and emergency readiness, particularly in more densely populated urban centers like Dhaka.