A powerful 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Bangladesh on Friday morning, triggering widespread fear and significant structural damage across the capital region. The earthquake, which occurred at approximately 10:38 am local time, caused intense tremors across Dhaka, Narsingdi, and surrounding districts, resulting in at least six deaths and dozens of injuries, according to early media and police reports. The incident has once again highlighted urgent concerns surrounding seismic vulnerability, disaster preparedness, and urban safety in South Asia’s densely populated areas.
Epicentre and Seismic Details
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake’s epicentre was located in the Ghorashal area of Narsingdi district, around 25 kilometres northeast of Dhaka, with a shallow depth of 10 kilometres. Shallow earthquakes of this magnitude tend to produce stronger surface shaking, contributing to greater structural impact and public panic.
Bangladesh sits at a critical junction of the India and Eurasia tectonic plates, making it highly susceptible to seismic activity. While the northern and southeastern regions of the country are historically recognized as active earthquake zones, the central belt — including Dhaka — experiences fewer events, which increased public shock and unpreparedness during Friday’s tremor.
Casualties and Impact
Initial police reports confirmed three deaths, but by afternoon, Dhaka-based DBC Television reported that the death toll had risen to six fatalities. Among the deceased, three individuals died after portions of a building roof and wall collapsed, while three pedestrians were crushed by falling iron railings during the tremor.
Emergency medical teams also reported injuries caused by stampedes, falls on staircases, and jumping from unsafe structures as residents rushed outdoors in fear of aftershocks. Hospitals across Dhaka recorded dozens of trauma cases linked to panic evacuations from high-rise buildings.
Residents described the shaking as strong and prolonged, with windows rattling, ceiling fixtures swinging violently, and concrete structures visibly swaying.
Scenes of Panic Across Dhaka
City streets filled within seconds as thousands of people fled office towers, residential complexes, schools, universities, commercial centres, and government buildings. Traffic halted and public transport came to a standstill as crowds gathered in open grounds and roadside areas.
Eyewitness accounts noted chaotic evacuation scenes, with some people slipping on staircases and others struggling to escape from congested buildings. Several educational institutions immediately suspended operations as a precautionary measure.
In multiple neighbourhoods, temporary power outages and mobile network disruptions were reported shortly after the quake, adding to public anxiety. Emergency sirens were heard across several districts as fire and civil defence teams responded to distress calls.
Tremors Felt Across India
The earthquake was widely felt across neighbouring India, particularly in West Bengal, including Kolkata, Howrah, Siliguri, and Tripura, as well as parts of Assam, Meghalaya, and Mizoram. Office workers, schoolchildren, and residents rushed outdoors in major Indian cities as buildings trembled sharply.
Several offices in Kolkata temporarily halted operations and activated building evacuation protocols. Metro services were monitored under precautionary alert, while engineering teams were deployed to assess infrastructure conditions.
Seismic Vulnerability and Risk in Bangladesh
Seismologists have repeatedly warned that Bangladesh faces substantial earthquake risk due to high population density, weak building structures, and unregulated urban expansion. Dhaka, a city with more than 20 million residents, holds one of the highest urban seismic vulnerability rankings globally.
The region sits adjacent to the Madhupur Fault, a major geological fracture capable of producing earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 and above, according to scientific studies. A major seismic event in this zone could potentially cause catastrophic damage.
Urban safety experts have long argued that many high-rise structures in Dhaka are not fully compliant with earthquake-resistant construction standards, making even moderate-intensity tremors dangerous.
Government Response and Emergency Measures
Following the quake, Bangladesh’s Disaster Management and Relief Ministry placed emergency response agencies on high alert. Fire service units, police forces, and health services were mobilized for search, rescue, and assessment missions.
Officials reported that structural inspections are underway at several commercial buildings, educational institutions, and old residential blocks. Local administrations have urged the public to avoid crowded building interiors until safety checks are complete.
Hospitals in Dhaka and Narsingdi have increased emergency bed capacity to treat the injured.
Bangladesh has witnessed devastating seismic events, including the 1918 Srimangal earthquake (7.6 magnitude) and the 1897 Assam earthquake, which impacted northeast Bengal with severe destruction. In modern history, several moderate earthquakes have shaken Dhaka, raising concerns about large-scale disaster potential.
