A powerful 5.5 magnitude Bangladesh earthquake struck near Dhaka on Friday, leaving at least five dead, including one child, and injuring over 450 others. The quake’s epicenter was close to the Narsingdi district, about 30 kilometers from the capital. The tremors sent people scrambling out of buildings as makeshift structures collapsed, while at least 10 students were injured during a stampede at Dhaka University.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Bangladesh’s environmental adviser, noted, “We have never experienced an earthquake this powerful in the last five years.” Three fatalities occurred when debris from a five-story building in Dhaka’s Armanitola area fell.
Devastating Impact on Dhaka and Beyond
The earthquake’s impact was felt far and wide, with over 450 injured across the country. Among the worst-hit was Gazipur district, where 252 people were injured. Nitai Chandra De Sarkar, a senior official, highlighted the primary task of assessing casualties and damage, stating, “We are not yet seeing the challenge of rescue from the rubble.”
Personal Accounts of the Earthquake
Bangladeshis shared their experiences of the quake. Sadman Sakib, a local resident, described how the tremors disrupted his office as furniture shook. “We rushed down the stairs and saw other people already on the street,” he said. Abdullah, a student who was sleeping during the tremor, mentioned that “the whole building was shaking.”
Tremors Felt in India and Sports Disruption
The earthquake’s effects reached neighboring India, where tremors were felt in the eastern states. However, no significant damage was reported. The earthquake even interrupted Ireland’s second cricket test match in Bangladesh. The game halted for three minutes, with players and spectators taking shelter. Ireland’s head coach Heinrich Malan, recalling his experience with earthquakes in New Zealand, expressed concern but hoped for minimal damage.
