DST News: A 5.7-magnitude earthquake jolted Dhaka and several adjoining districts at 10:38 am today, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said. Such this strong earthquake has not occured during 30 years according to the experts.
According to BMD, the quake’s epicentre was recorded in Madhabdi of Narsingdi, about 13 kilometres east of the BMD Seismic Centre in Agargaon.
However, data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) placed the epicentre 14 kilometres west-southwest of Narsingdi, with the tremor originating at a depth of 10 kilometres.
The brief but forceful shaking sent residents across the capital rushing outdoors in fear. Though the tremor lasted only a few seconds, people evacuated homes, offices, markets, and high-rise buildings amid concerns of possible aftershocks.
According to Mallik Ahsan Uddin Sami, Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Lalbagh Division), bricks from the rooftop railing of a seven-storey building on KP Ghosh Street in Bangshal crashed down on pedestrians below. The building belongs to the late Saki Miah, police said.
The victims were taken to Mitford Hospital, where doctors confirmed that three of them had died. Police said efforts are underway to identify the deceased.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that the earthquake struck at 10:38 am, sending panic across Dhaka and prompting a series of emergency responses.
Reports from across the city
A preliminary report from the Fire Service and Civil Defence indicated that an eight-storey building at Kasaituli in Armanitola partly collapsed. Units from Sadarghat and Siddiqbazar fire stations rushed to the scene. Although parts of the plaster and several bricks had fallen, officials confirmed that the structure remained intact and no casualties were found.
In Khilgaon, one person was injured after a brick from an under-construction building hit a nearby two-storey house. Residents rescued the injured person before authorities arrived.
A fire erupted in a residence on Road 5 of Baridhara Block-F. Firefighters from the Baridhara station were working to put out the blaze, though officials could not immediately determine if the fire was linked to the earthquake.
Another incident was reported in Swamibagh under Sutrapur, where an eight-storey building appeared to be leaning onto a neighbouring structure. Fire service personnel were dispatched to assess the situation.
At the Chief Adviser’s Office, authorities initially received a report of structural damage. However, after inspection, the Satellite Fire Station confirmed there was no visible harm to the building.
In Kalabagan, a seven-storey building on Abedkhali Road was reported collapsed. Firefighters from Mohammadpur station rushed to the site. No casualties had been reported as of this evening.
Meanwhile, in Gazaria, Munshiganj, a house caught fire, prompting two units from the Gazaria Fire Station to respond. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Emergency teams continue to monitor affected areas as aftershocks remain a concern.
Source: BSS
