A significant earthquake rattled Bangladesh on Friday morning, striking near the densely populated capital of Dhaka and claiming at least three lives according to health officials.
Panic and Destruction in Muslim-Majority Nation
The 5.5-magnitude quake occurred at 10:38 am local time near the city of Narsingdi, approximately 16 miles from Dhaka, as confirmed by the US Geological Survey (USGS). The timing proved particularly frightening for many citizens in the Muslim-majority country of 170 million people, who were at home during their day off.
Eyewitness reports from Dhaka described scenes of terror with people weeping in streets while others appeared visibly shocked by the sudden seismic event. The health department confirmed that three people lost their lives, including a medical student among the casualties.
Widespread Impact and International Concern
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department recorded the earthquake's magnitude as 5.7, noting that the shaking persisted for 26 seconds with its epicentre located in Narsingdi's Madhabdi district. The USGS issued warnings about potential 'significant casualties' and substantial damage following the event.
Remarkably, strong tremors travelled as far as the Indian city of Kolkata, situated more than 325 kilometres from the epicentre. AFP reporters in Kolkata witnessed people hastily evacuating offices and homes after experiencing the sudden jolt.
'I felt tremors and my bed moved... I rushed out of my room,' recounted Sumit Dutta, a 66-year-old Kolkata resident. Fortunately, Indian authorities reported no immediate casualties or significant damage within their territory.
Regional Seismic Vulnerability Highlighted
This seismic event underscores the earthquake vulnerability facing South Asian nations, particularly densely populated areas like Dhaka where building standards and emergency response capabilities face constant challenges. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the region's geological instability and the importance of robust disaster preparedness measures.
Emergency services across affected areas remain on high alert as assessment teams evaluate the full extent of damage caused by Friday's tremors.
